NPTEL ONLINE CERTIFICATION COURSE

Jul-Nov 2024

Wastewater Treatment and Recycling

Week 5

Course Instructor: Teaching Assistant (TA):

Prof. Manoj Kumar Tiwari Akash Saha
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Prime Minister’s Research Fellow
Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
OVERVIEW
Basics of Municipal Wastewater Treatment

• Objectives, Discharge Standards, Reuse Standards, Unit Processes & Operations

Wastewater Treatment Units: Screening

• Features, Types of screen, Comminuting Devices, Location of screens, Hydraulics, Velocity and Head
loss through screens, Disposal od screening

Wastewater Treatment Units: Grit Removal and Equalization

• Grit Chamber: Types and Classification, Design of Grit Chamber, Clearing and disposal of grit,
Equalization Tank : Benefits, Design considerations

Wastewater Treatment Units: Primary Sedimentation

• Types of Settling, Sedimentation Theory, Basin zones, Basin types, Settling model, Settling velocity
distribution, Settling basin efficiency, Factors affecting sedimentation, Design of primary Clarifier,
Alternates to sedimentation tanks
1. Match the treatment stages given in the first column with the target contaminates to be
removed given in the second column:

a. (i)-B, (ii)-A ,(iii)-C List 1 List 2

b. (i)-B, (ii)-C, (iii)-A (i) Primary Treatment A. Dissolved Organic Matters
c. (i)-C, (ii)-A, (iii)-B
(ii) Secondary Treatment B. Nutrients, Microbes and TDS
d. (i)-A, (ii)-C, (iii)-B
(iii) Tertiary Treatment C. Suspended Matters

Correct Answer: c. (i)-C, (ii)-A, (iii)-B

Detailed Solution: Primary treatment aims for the removal of suspended matters, secondary
treatment is for removing dissolved organic matters, while tertiary treatment targets removal of
nutrients, microbes and high TDS.
2. Which of the given treatment stages is NOT included in the preliminary treatment of
wastewater:

a. Oil and greases are removed by skimming tanks

b. Suspended matters are removed by sedimentation tank
c. Floating materials are removed by screening
d. Grit and sand are removed by grit chambers

Correct Answer: b. Suspended matters are removed by sedimentation tank

Detailed Solution: Sedimentation tank falls under primary treatment.

3. Which of these units has a detention period of the order of 1 min:

a. Grit Chamber
b. Primary Sedimentation
c. Secondary Sedimentation
d. Aeration Tank

Correct Answer: a. Grit Chamber

Detailed Solution: As the grit chamber is intended to remove the heavier particles with high specific
gravity, the detention time of these thanks is usually low, i.e. less than or equal to 1 minute.
4. Which of the following could be an appropriate velocity through the screens?

a. 0.08 m/s
b. 0.8 m/s
c. 8 m/s
d. 80 m/s

Correct Answer: b. 0.8 m/s

Detailed Solution: Velocities of 0.6 to 1.2 m/s through the screens are considered satisfactory. The
velocity should not be less than 0.3 m/s to prevent the deposition of solids.
5. The equalization tank is used to:

a. Eliminate variation in flow-rate

b. Improve performance of downstream processes
c. Balance fluctuating concentrations in the influent
d. All of the above

Correct Answer: d. All of the above

Detailed Solution: The equalization tank is used to balance the variation in flow-rate, and
fluctuating concentrations in the influent, to improve performance of downstream processes.
6. Identify the correct statements regarding sedimentation in real settling basins:

Statement I: For real settling basins, the assumptions of ideal discrete particle settling may not hold
true.
Statement II: Real settling basins usually have flocculent or Type II sedimentation.

a. Statement I is correct, while statement II is incorrect

b. Statement II is correct, while statement I is incorrect
c. Both, statements I and II are correct
d. Both, statements I and II are incorrect

Correct Answer: c. Both, statements I and II are correct

Detailed Solution: For real settling basins, the assumptions of ideal discrete particle settling may not
hold true, as suspended particles in water or wastewater exhibit a natural tendency to agglomerate. In
settling basins, various light and small particles agglomerate and grow in size as they come in
contact. Such flocculation leads to Flocculent or Type II sedimentation where the mass of the
particles increases and they settle faster.
7. Settling velocity under flocculent settling is:

a. Same as under discrete settling

b. Lower than the discrete settling
c. Higher than the discrete settling
d. Could be lower or higher than the discrete settling

Correct Answer: c. Higher than the discrete settling

Detailed Solution: Settling velocity under flocculent settling is higher than the discrete settling.
8. The zone located at the bottom of a rectangular sedimentation basin is:

a. Inlet Zone
b. Outlet Zone
c. Settling Zone
d. Sludge Zone

Correct Answer: d. Sludge Zone

Detailed Solution: Sludge zone is located at the bottom of the tank, provides a storage area for the
sludge before it is removed for additional treatment or disposal.
9. The tube and plate settlers compared with conventional sedimentation tank, generally
require

a. Lesser area but higher input energy

b. More area but lower input energy
c. More area and higher input energy
d. Lesser area and lower input energy

Correct Answer: d. Lesser area and lower input energy

Detailed Solution: Tube and plate settlers are compact units and therefore usually requiring only 65-
80 % of the area of conventional clarifiers. Also energy inputs are lower due to absence of
mechanical or moving parts.
10. A 10 m long, 1.8 m wide, and 1 m deep grit chamber is treating wastewater flow of 900
m3/hr. Its surface loading rate is:

a. 500 m3/hr/m2
b. 90 m3/hr/m2
c. 50 m3/hr/m2
d. 9 m3/hr/m2

Correct Answer: c. 50 m3/hr/m2

Detailed Solution: Q = 900 m3/hr

Surface loading = Q/BL = 900/(10×1.8) = 50 m3/hr/m2
11. Surface loading rate of a settling basin is 18 m 3/hr/m2. Approximately, what percent of the
particles that have a settling velocity of 0.006 m/sec will be removed?

a. 40 %
b. 60 %
c. 80 %
d. 100 %

Correct Answer: d. 100 %

Detailed Solution: Critical settling velocity = overflow rate = 18 m3/hr/m2 = 18 m/h = 18/3600 m/s
= 0.005 m/s
For particles having settling velocity of 0.006 m/sec (more than critical settling velocity) = 100 %
removal will be achieved.
12. The terminal settling velocity of a 0.01 mm diameter spherical particle with specific gravity
2.65, in water of density 998.2 kg/m3 and dynamic viscosity 1.002 × 10-3 Ns/m2, would be:

a. 90 cm/s
b. 9 cm/s
c. 0.09 cm/s
d. 0.009 cm/s

Correct Answer: c. 0.09 cm/s

Detailed Solution: Assuming laminar flow, the terminal settling velocity of a particle in water is given by -
Vt = (g)*(ρp - ρw)*d2/18μ = (9.81)*(2650−998.2)(0.01∗10−3)2 / (18*1.002*10−3) = 0.0898 cm/s = 0.09 cm/sec
Now, to check if it is actually laminar flow, we find the Reynolds number,
Re = ρw * Vt * d / μ = 0.089 < 1. Therefore, the terminal velocity calculated is correct.
13. A circular primary clarifier is to be designed at an overflow rate of 40 m/day to treat 5000
m3/day of wastewater flow. The approximate diameter of the tank should be:

a. 12.6 m
b. 20 m
c. 28.2 m
d. 36.5 m

Correct Answer: a. 12.6 m.

Detailed Solution: Q = 5000 m3/day; q0 = 40 m/day; Therefore, As = 5000/40 = 125 m2

Diameter of the circular clarifier, d =sqrt[(125×4)/π] = 12.62 m
14. The headloss through a bar rack with an approach velocity of 0.70 m/s and velocity
through
the screen of 1.05 m/s, will be:

a. 30 mm
b. 45 mm
c. 60 mm
d. 75 mm

Correct Answer: b. 45 mm

Detailed Solution: h = 0.0729(V2 − v2) = 0.0729(1.052 – 0.702) = 0.04465 m = 45 mm

15. A grit chamber, with a with a detention time of 40 seconds is treating a wastewater flow of
8,000 m3/day, with a flow-through velocity of 0.3 m/s. The length of the grit chamber would
be:

a. 7.2 m
b. 10 m
c. 12 m
d. 18.6 m

Correct Answer: c. 12 m

Detailed Solution: Length of the grit chamber = detention time × horizontal velocity = t d × Vh
= 40 sec × 0.30 m/s = 12 m
Subjective Numerical Type Problems

1. Design a bar rack and screen chamber for a peak design flow of 150 MLD (3×average
sewage flow of 50 MLD) with the following data.

Peak design flow = 1.736 m 3/s

Flow conditions in incoming trunk sewer
Diameter of incoming sewer = 1.40 m
Depth of flow in sewer at peak flow = 1.05 m
Velocity in sewer at peak design flow = 1.16 m/s
Drop of screen chamber floor to invert = 0.08 m
Assumed width of rectangular bars = 10 mm
Clear spacing between bars = 25 mm
2. A water with design flow rate of 300 L/sec is passing through a rectangular channel has a
maximum flow velocity of 36 m/min. A coarse screen is to be installed in the channel using 10
mm thick bars with 30 mm clear openings and at an inclination of 50º to the direction of flow.
Determine the velocity through bars and the head loss in meters. Assume, width to depth ratio
of the channel as 1: 1.5 and co-efficient of discharge (C) as 0.70.

Correct Answer: 0.612 m/s and 0.0011 m

3. A grit removal facility is designed to treat a flow of 18,800 m 3/d. The length, width, and
depth of the channel are 18, 0.73, and 1.0 m, respectively. Calculate

(a) overflow rate,

(b) terminal velocity vt of the smallest particle that will be fully removed,
(c) horizontal velocity, and
(d) detention time.

Correct Answer:
(a) 1431 m3/m2·d
(b) 1m/min or 0.017m/s
(c) 0.30m/s
(d) 60 s or 1 min
4. A rectangular primary sedimentation basin is designed for an average flow of 10,000 m 3/d.
Calculate the length and width of the basin. Use the following information. Surface overflow
rate is ≤40 m3/m2·d at average flow, side water depth is equal to 4 m, and the basin length-to
width ratio is 3:1. Also calculate detention time and surface overflow rate at design peak flow.
The peaking factor is 2.5:1.

Correct Answer:
L = 28 m , W = 9 m
Detention time = 2.4 h
Surface overflow rate = 100m3/m2·d
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The degree of treatment required for the wastewater depends on:

a. Raw water characteristics

b. Desired quality and possible reuse of the treated effluent
c. State-regulated wastewater discharge standards
d. All of the above

Correct Answer: d. All of the above

Detailed Solution: The degree of treatment required depends on the characteristics of the raw
wastewater and the desired quality of treated water for disposal or reuse, which is eventually
governed by state-regulated wastewater discharged standards or water quality standards for
recycling/reuse (Refer to slide 3, page 2, module 5).
2. Sedimentation tanks are an appropriate example of:

a. Unit operations
b. Unit processes
c. Both a. and b.
d. Bio-chemical processes

Correct Answer: a. Unit operations

Detailed Solution: Treatment units (methods) in which the application of physical forces
predominate are called Unit Operations. Physical separation of the pollutant occurs in these systems.
e.g. screening, grit chamber, sedimentation etc. (Refer to slide 8, page 4, module 5).
3. Identify the correct statement concerning advanced wastewater treatment processes.

a. Disinfection is typically considered an advanced wastewater treatment process.

b. Selective ion exchange is used for the removal of nitrate from secondary treated effluent
c. Both a. and b.
d. Carbon adsorption is primarily used for suspended solids removal from secondary treated effluent

Correct Answer: c. Both a. and b.

Detailed Solution: Disinfection is typically considered an advanced wastewater treatment process.

Selective ion exchange is used for the removal of nitrate from secondary treated effluent. However,
carbon adsorption is not primarily used for suspended solids removal from secondary treated effluent
(Refer to slide 9, page 5, module 5).
4. Intermittent sedimentation tanks:

a. store water for a certain period and keep it in complete rest

b. allow water to flow at a reduced velocity for a significant time
c. are also known as continuous flow type tank
d. None of the above

Correct Answer: a. store water for a certain period and keep it in complete rest

Detailed Solution: The intermittent tanks, also called quiescent type tanks, are those that store water
for a certain period and keep it in complete rest (Refer to slide 53, page 27, module 5).
5. Which of the following is not an assumption of stokes law?

a. Particle settling is independent of the influence of other particles

b. The medium is of infinite extent
c. Reynold’s number is less than 10
d. Flow is laminar

Correct Answer: c. Reynold’s number is less than 10

Detailed Solution: Reynolds number should be less than 1 (Refer slide 35, Lecture 25, Module 5).
6. The surface overflow rate of a settling tank is V, and the settling velocity is U. What will be
the ratio of removal efficiency of particles having a velocity less than the critical settling
velocity?

a. 1- V/U
b. 1-U/V
c. U/V
d. V/U

Correct Answer: c. U/V

Detailed Solution: For a given flow rate Q, particles having U ≥ V (= Q/A, or Vo) will be
completely removed, while the remaining particles will be removed in the ratio of U / V (Refer Slide
60, Lecture 27, Module 5).
7. The type of settling most likely to occur in a real sedimentation tank is:

a. Discreet settling
b. Flocculent settling
c. Type 1 settling
d. Type 4 settling

Correct Answer: b. Flocculent settling

Detailed Solution: For real settling basins, the assumptions of ideal discrete particle settling may not
hold true, as suspended particles in water or wastewater exhibit a natural tendency to agglomerate
(Refer to slide 61, page 31, Module 5)
8. Surface loading rate of a 0.02 mm particle is 0.02 cm/s. Compute the efficiency of removal of
0.024 mm particle.

a. 86 %
b. 100 %
c. 98 %
d. 42 %

Correct Answer: b. 100 %

Detailed Solution: All particles having a size more than the size of the particle for which surface
overflow rate is calculated are 100% removed.
9. Match the target pollutants with the wastewater treatment units used:

a. A – 1; B – 2; C – 4; D – 3 List 1 List 2
b. A – 3; B – 2; C – 4; D – 1 A. Large Floating matter 1. Trickling Filter
c. A – 4; B – 3; C – 2; D – 1
B. Suspended inorganic matter 2. Primary Clarifier
d. A – 2; B – 1; C – 3; D – 4
C. Suspended organic matter 3. Grit chamber
D. Dissolved organic matter 4. Screens

Correct Answer: c. A – 4; B – 3; C – 2; D – 1

Detailed Solution: Screens deal with the large floating matter. Inorganic material is settled in a grit
chamber. Floating organic matter is settled in the primary clarifier and dissolved organic matter is
degraded in secondary treatment (trickling filter, activated sludge process).
10. Which of the following is NOT an objective of providing an equalization tank during
sewage treatment?

a. Balance the fluctuation in the flow of sewage

b. Balance the fluctuation in concentration of sewage
c. Assist in self-neutralization
d. Removal of organic material

Correct Answer: d. Removal of organic material

Detailed Solution: The objectives of providing an equalization tank include: i. to balance fluctuating
flows or concentrations, ii. to assist self-neutralization, or iii. to even out the effect of a periodic
"slug" discharge from a batch process (Refer to slide 41, page 21, module 5).
11. A bar screen is installed in a wastewater treatment plant receiving a daily peak flow of
sewage of 50 MLD. Estimate the head loss (in m) through the screen, considering the desired
velocity of flow through the screen as 0.8 m/s and approach channel area as 0.86 m 2.

a. 0.026 m
b. 0.100 m
c. 0.014 m
d. 0.200 m

Correct Answer: c. 0.014 m

Detailed Solution: Maximum flow, Q= 50,000 m3/day = 0.5788 m3/s
Desired velocity through screen, V at ultimate flow = 0.8 m/s
Approach channel area, a = 0.86m2
Net area of screen, A = 0.5788/0.8 = 0.72 m 2 (since Q = VA)
Velocity in the approach channel, v = VA/a = (0.8*0.72)/ 0.86 = 0.67 m/s
Headloss = 0.0729 (V2-v2) = 0.0729 (0.82 – 0.672) = 0.014 m
12. A grit chamber of dimension 12.0 m x 1.50 m x 0.80 liquid depth has a flow of 720 m 3/hour.
Its surface loading rate and detention time are, respectively:

a. 4000 m3/hr/m2 and 1.2 minutes

b. 40000 l/hr/m2 and 40 minutes
c. 40 m3/hr/m2 and 12 minutes
d. 40000 l/hr/m2 and 1.2 minutes

Correct Answer: d. 40000 l/hr/m2 and 1.2 minutes

Detailed Solution:
Surface loading rate = Q/ (top area)
V = 720 m3/hr / (12.0 m∗1.5 m) = 40 m3/hr/ m2 = 40000 l/hr/ m2
Detention time, t = Volume/Flow = (12×1.5×0.8)/720 = 0.02 hours
= 1.2 minutes
13. Calculate the settling velocity of the particle having a radius of 0.0075 mm and a specific
gravity of 2.6. Assume viscosity = 10-3 kg/m/s.

a. 0.0020 m/s
b. 0.0035 m/s
c. 0.0002 m/s
d. 0.0010 m/s

Correct Answer: c. 0.0002 m/s

Detailed Solution:
Kinematic viscosity, ν = Dynamic viscosity/density of water
ν = 10-3/103 = 10-6
Vs = (g/18)*(𝑆𝑠−1)*d2/𝜈 = (9.81/18)*(2.6−1)(0.0075∗2∗10−3)2/10−6 = 0.0002 m/s
14. Particle concentration is high and they remain at a fixed position while settling. Such type
of settling is:

a. Type 1
b. Type 2
c. Type 3
d. Type 4

Correct Answer: c. Type 3

Detailed Solution: TYPE III ‐ Hindered (or Zone) settling: Inter‐particle forces are sufficient to
hinder the settling of neighboring particles. The particles tend to remain in a fixed position with
respect to each other. This type of settling is typical in the settler for the activated sludge process
(secondary clarifier) (Refer to slide 48, page 24, Module 5).
15. The average flow in a municipal wastewater treatment plant is 4000 m 3/day. Determine the
approximate diameter of a circular primary clarifier to remove suspended solids at average
flow. Assume an overflow rate of 20 m/day and a depth of 3 m.

a. 5.5 m
b. 10.40 m
c. 16 m
d. 28 m

Correct Answer: c. 16 m

Detailed Solution:
Q = 4000 m3/day; q0 = 20 m/day
Therefore, As = 4000/20 = 200 m2
Diameter of the circular clarifier, d =sqrt[(200×4)/π] = 16 m
 Thank you
Next session: 3rd September 2024,
Tuesday, 6-8 PM

Contact: saha19akash@gmail.com