Sewage Treatment Plant Design Project

 Qo (m3 / h) Influent flow - rate

 Qe (m3 / h) Effluent flow - rate

 Qr (m3 / h) Recycled sludge flow - rate

 Qw (m3 / h) Wasted sludge flow - rate

 BOD (mg / L) Biochemical oxygen demand

 BODo (mg / L) Influent biochemical oxygen demand

 SS (mg / L) Suspended solids (SS)

 SSr, w (mg / L) Recycled and wasted sludge SS

 A (m3 / h) Air flow - rate

 MLSS (mg / L) Mixed liquor suspended solids

 t (h) Hydraulic retention time

 OL (kg BOD / m3 . day) Organic loading

 F / M (kg BOD / kg MLSS. Food to microorganism ratio day)

 R Recycle ratio

 SA (day) Sludge age

 ASR (m3 / kg BOD) Air supply rate

 E (%) BOD removal efficiency

 Cd Co-efficient of discharge

1. ABBREVIATIONS
2. Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) is the amount of suspended solids in the mix of

raw water and activated sludge.

3. Return activated sludge (R.A.S) is the activated sludge extracted from the system and

mixed with raw water to form the mixed liquor.

4. Waste activated sludge (W.A.S.) or Surplus Activated Sludge (S.A.S.) is excess activated

sludge that is extracted from the system to be directed to sludge treatment.

5. Sludge Age is the average residence time of biological solids in the system. It can be

defined as the average lifespan of bacteria in the system.

6. Overflow rate / Surface loading is the discharge per unit of plan area. This parameter is

the design factor in designing the settling tanks.

7. Food to Micro-organisms ratio (F/M ratio) is the ratio between daily BOD load applied to

Aerator System and total microbial mass in the system.

TREATMENT OF SEWAGE

8. 5. The treatment of sewage consists of many complex functions. The degree of treatment

depends upon the characteristics of the raw inlet sewage as well as the required effluent

characteristics. Treatment processes are often classified as: (i) Preliminary treatment (ii)

Primary treatment (iii) Secondary treatment (iv) Tertiary treatment.

9. PRELIMINARY TREATMENT:

10. Preliminary treatment consists solely in separating the floating materials like tree

branches, papers, pieces of rags, wood etc. and heavy settable inorganic solids. It helps in

removal of oils and greases and reduces the BOD by 15% to 30%.

11. ➢ Screening – to remove floating papers, rags, clothes.

12. ➢ Grit chamber – to remove grit and sand.

13. ➢ Skimming tank – to remove oils and greases.

14. PRIMARY TREATMENT: Primary treatment consists in removing large suspended

organic solids. It is usually accomplished by sedimentation in settling basins. The liquid

effluent from the primary treatment often contains a large amount of suspended organic

material and has a high BOD (about 60% of original).

15. SECONDARY TREATMENT: Here the effluent from primary treatment is treated

through biological decomposition of organic matter carried out either aerobic or

anaerobic conditions.

16. Aerobic Biological Units: I) Filters (intermittent sand filters, trickling filters)

17. II) Activated Sludge Plant (feed of active sludge, secondary settling tank and aeration

tank) III) Oxidation ponds and Aerated lagoons.

18. Anaerobic Biological Units: I) Anaerobic lagoons II) Septic tanks III) Imhoff tanks. The

effluent from the secondary treatment contains a little BOD (5% to 10% of original) and

may contain several milligrams per litre of s DO.

19. TERTIARY TREATMENT: The purpose of tertiary treatment is to provide a final

treatment stage to raise the effluent quality before it is discharged to the receiving

environment (sea, river, lake, ground, etc.). More than one tertiary treatment process may

be used at any treatment plant. If disinfection is practiced, it is always the final process. It

is also known as "effluent polishing".

20. DESIGN PERIOD:

 The future period for which the provision is made in designing the capacities of various

components of the sewerage is known as design period. This sewage treatment plant is

designed for 30 years.

21. RAW SEWAGE OF EFFLUENT PARAMETERS VELLORE Corp.* (expected)**

pH 6.4 5.5-9.0
BOD 300 mg/l ≤ 20 mg/l
COD 600 mg/l ≤ 250 mg/l
Oil & Grease 50 mg/l ≤ 5 mg/l
Total Suspended Solids 600 mg/l ≤ 30 mg/l
Nitrogen 61 mg/l ≤ 5 mg/l
Ammonia Nitrogen 50 mg/l ≤ 50 mg/l
Total Phosphorus 5 mg/l ≤ 5 mg/l (as PO4)
Total Coli form 100000
MPN/ml ≤ 1000 no/100 ml *

22. 10. CALCULATION OF SEWAGE GENERATION:

Ultimate design period = 30 years

Forecasted population at 2040 = 24.920 Per Capita

Water Supply = 135 lpcd Avg.

water supply per day = 24920 x 135 = 33199200 ≈ 33200000 = 33.2 MLD

Avg. sewage generation per day = 80% of supplied water = 0.8 x 33.2 = 26.56 MLD

In cumec, Avg. sewage generation per day = 26.56 X 1061000 X 24 X 60 X 60

Avg. discharge = 0.308 cumec

Max. discharge = 3 x avg. discharge = 3 x 0.308 = 0.924 cumec

23. LAYOUT OF TREATMENT PLANT The following point should be kept in mind while

giving layout of any sewage treatment plant:

 • All the plant should be located in the order of sequence, so that sewage from one

process should directly go to other process.

 • If possible all the plant should be located at such elevation that sewage can flow from

one plant into next under its force of gravity only.

 • All the treatment units should be arranged in such a way that minimum area is required

it will also ensure economy in its cost.

 • Sufficient area should be occupied for future extension.

 • Staff quarter and office also should be provided near the treatment plant, so that

operators can watch the plant easily.

 • The site of treatment plant should be very neat and give very good appearance.

 • Bypass and overflow weir should be provided to cut out of operation any unit when

required. All channels, conduits should be laid in such a way as to obtain flexibility,

convenience and economy in the operation.

24. POINT CONSIDERED IN DESIGN: Following points are considered during the design

of sewage treatment unit: •

The design period should be taken between 25 to 30 years.

• The design should not be done on the hourly sewage flow basis, but the average

domestic flow plus the maximum industrial flow on the yearly record basis.

• Instead of providing one big unit for each treatment more than two numbers small units

should provided, which will provide in operation as well as no stoppage during

maintenance and repair of the plant.

• Overflow weirs and the bypasses should be provided to cut the particular operation if

desired.

• Self cleaning velocity should develop at every place and stage.

 • The design of the treatment units should be economical; easy in maintenance should

offer flexibility in operation.

25. RECEIVING CHAMBER Receiving chamber is the structure to receive the raw sewage

collected through Under Ground Sewage System from the city. It is a rectangular shape

tank constructed at the entrance of the sewage treatment plant. The main sewer pipe is

directly connected with this tank.

DESIGN: Design flow = 0.924 cumec

Detention time = 60 sec

Volume required = flow X detention time = 0.924 x 60

Vrqd = 55.44 m3

Provide, depth = 3m

Area = 55.443 = 18.48 m2

Length: Breadth = 2:1 L x B = 2B x B =2B2 = 18.48

B = 3m

L = 6.2m

CHECK: Volume designed = 6.2 x 3 x 3

Vdes = 55.8 m3
 Vrqd = 55.44 m3

Vdes > Vrqd

Receiving chamber is designed for the size of 6.2m X 3m X 3m (SWD) + 0.5 (FB)

26. PURPOSE OF SCREENING: Screening is essential in sewage treatment for removal of

materials which would otherwise damage the plant, interfere with the satisfactory

operation of treatment unit or equipment. • To protect the pumps and other equipments

from the possible damages due to floating matter. • To remove the major floating matters

from the raw sewage in a simple manner before it reaches into the complex high energy

required process.

COARSE SCREENS ` The coarse screens essentially consist of steel bars or flat placed

30° to 60° inclination to the horizontal. The opening between bars are 50mm or above.

These racks are placed in the screen chamber provided in the way of sewer line. The

width of the rack channel should be sufficient so that self cleaning velocity should be

available and a bypass channel should be provided to prevent the overtopping. The

bypass channel is provided with vertical bar screen. A well drained trough is provided to

store the impurities while cleaning the rack. These racks are cleaned mechanically. 19
 27. DESIGN OF COARSE SCREEN:

Peak discharge of sewage = 0.924 m3/s

Assume the velocity at average flow is not allowed to exceed 0.8 m/s

The net area screen opening required = 0.9240.8 = 1.16 m2

Clear opening between bars = 30 mm = .03 m Size of the bars = 75 mm x 10 mm

Assume width of the channel = 1m

The screen bars are placed at 60° to the horizontal.

Velocity through screen at peak flow = 1.6 m/s

Clear area = 1.161.6sin60 = 0.837 m2

No of clear openings = 0.8370.03 =28 Nos

Width of channel = (28 x 30) + (29 x 10) = 1130 mm = 1.13 m

Provide width of the channel = 1.2 m

Coarse screen channel is designed for the size of 1.2 m X 0.7m (SWD) + 0.5 m (FB) 20
28. GRIT CHAMBER Grit removal basins are the sedimentation basins placed in front of the

fine screen to remove the inorganic particles having specific gravity of 2.65 such as sand,

gravel, grit, egg shells and other non-putrescible materials that may clog channels or

damage pumps due to abrasion and to prevent their accumulation in sludge digesters. The

grit chamber is designed to scour the lighter organic particles while the heavier grit

particles remain settled. Here the horizontal flow type grit chamber is designed to give a

horizontal straight line flow velocity, which is kept constant over varying discharge.

DESIGN

Peak flow of sewage = 0.924 m3/s

Assume average detention period = 180 s

Aerated volume = 0.924 x 180 = 168 m3

In order to drain the channel periodically for routine cleaning and maintenance two

chambers are used.

 Therefore volume of one aerated chamber = 1682 m3 = 84 m3

Assume depth of 3m and Width to depth ratio 2:1

Width of the channel =2x3 =6m

Length of the channel = 843 x 6 23 = 4.7 m

Increase the length by about 20% to account for inlet and outlet

Provide length = 4.7 x 1.2 m = 5.7m

Grit chamber is designed for the size of 5.7m X 6m X 3m 24

29. 26. FINE SCREEN Fine screens are the structures built between the grit chambers and

primary sedimentation tank in order to remove some amount of suspended solids from

sewage. The fine screens often get clogged need frequent cleaning. The brass metal is

used as it has higher resistant towards rust and corrosion. Here the disc type fine screen is

designed and the wire mesh of the screen is made up of brass metal. The fine screen is
attached with electric motors. The clogged screen is often cleared by cone brush.

DESIGN

Design flow = 0.924 cumec

At avg. flow design velocity = 0.8 m/s

Area required = 0.9240.8 =1.16 m2

SWD provided = 0.7 m

At peak design velocity = 1.6 m/s

Assuming the screen bars are placed at 40° to the horizontal.

Clear area = .9241.6sin40 = 1.13 m2

Clear opening = 8 mm = 0.008 m

Net clear width of channel = 1.130.008 = 1.41 m

No. of clear openings = 178

No. of bars = 178 26

Size of the bars = 50mm x 10 mm

Width of channel = (178 x 8) + (179 x 10) = 3.2 m

Fine screen is designed for the size of 3.2 m X 0.8 m (SWD) + 0.5 m (FB) 27
30. SKIMMING TANK

31. Skimming tanks are the tanks removing oils and grease from the sewage constructed

before the sedimentation tanks. Municipal raw sewage contains oils, fats, waxes, soaps,

fatty acids etc. The greasy and oily matter may form unsightly and odorous scum on the

surface of settling tanks or may interfere with the activated sludge process. In skimming

tank air is blown along with chlorine gas by air diffuser placed at the bottom of the tank.

The rising air tends to coagulate and solidify the grease and cause it to rise to the top of

the tank whereas chlorine destroys the protective colloidal effect of protein, which holds

the grease in emulsified form. The greasy materials are collected from the top of the tank

and the collected are skimmed of specially designed mechanical equipments.

DESIGN

The surface area required for the tank A = 6.22 X 10-3 X qVr m2

Where

q = rate of flow sewage in m3/day

Vr = minimum rising velocity of the oily material to be removed in m/min

q = 0.924 x 60 x 60 x24 = 79833.6 m3/day

Vr = 0.25 m/min = 0.25 x 60 x 24 = 360 m/day

A= 6.22 X 10-3 X 79833.6360

A =1.37 m2 29

≈ 1.5 m2

Provide the depth of the skimming tank is 3m

The length breadth ratio is 1.5: 1

Therefore L = 1.5B L x B = 1.5B2

Therefore B= 1m L = 1.5 m

Skimming tank is designed for the size of 1.5m X 1m X 3m + 0.5m (FB) 30

32. PRIMARY SEDIMENTATION TANK Primary sedimentation tank is the settling tank

constructed next to skimming tank to remove the organic solids which are too heavy to be

removed i.e. the particles having lesser size of 0.2 mm and specific gravity of 2.65. The

designed tank is circular type which makes settling by allowing radial flow. These are

fabricated using carbon steel with epoxy lining on the inside and epoxy coating on the

outside. Built on the concept of inclined plate clarification, these clarifiers use gravity in

conjunction with the projected settling area so as to effect a fairly high percentage of

removal of suspended solids as 60 to 65% of the suspended solids and 30 to 35% of the

BOD from the sewage.

DESIGN:

Max. quantity sewage = 26.56 MLD

Surface loading = 40 m3/m2/day

Detention period = 1 hrs

Volume of sewage = 26560 X 124 =1106.7 m3 1110 m3

Provide effective depth = 2.5 m

Surface area =11102.5 = 444 m2

Surface Area the tank = Total flow

Surface lloading 32 = 2656040 =664 m2

Use greater of area of these two,

Therefore area surface area of the tank =664 m2

Diameter of the tank = 664 x 4π =29.07 m ≈29.2 m

Primary sedimentation tank is designed for the dimension of 29.2 m (dia) X 2.5 m (depth) + 0.5

(FB)

33. ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS The activated sludge process is an aerobic,

biological sewage treatment system to treat the settled sewage consist a variety of

mechanisms and processes that use dissolved oxygen to promote the growth of biological

floc that substantially removes organic material. The essential units of the process are an

aeration tank, a secondary settling tank, a sludge return line from the secondary settling

tank to the aeration tank and an excess sludge waste line.

34. CONCEPT: Atmospheric air is bubbled through primary treated sewage combined with

organisms to develop a biological floc which reduces the organic content of the sewage.

The Mixed Liquor, the combination of raw sewage and biological mass is formed. In

activated sludge plant, once the effluent from the primary clarifier get sufficient

treatment, the excess mixed liquor is discharged into settling tanks and the treated

supernatant is run off to undergo further treatment. Part of the settled sludge called

Return Activated Sludge (R.A.S.) is returned to the head of the aeration system to re-seed

the new sewage entering the tank. Excess sludge which eventually accumulates beyond

R.A.S known Waste Activated Sludge (W.A.S.) is removed from the treatment process to
 keep the ratio of biomass to food supplied (F:M) ratio. W.A.S is further treated by

digestion under anaerobic conditions.

35. METHOD: CONTACT STABILIZATION METHOD • Microorganisms consume

organics in the contact tank. • Effluent from primary clarifier flows into the contact tank

where it is aerated and mixed with bacteria. • Soluble materials pass through bacterial cell

walls, while insoluble materials stick to the outside.

36. 37. FLOW CHART OF CONTACT STABILIZATION ACTIVATED SLUDGE

PROCESS • Solids settle out later and are wasted from the system or returned to a

stabilization tank. • Microbes digest organics in the stabilization tank, and are then

recycled back to the contact tank, because they need more food. • Waste Activated

Sludge is removed and sent to further treatment.

37. 38. The activated sludge functions in the above mentioned concept by following the

Contact stabilization method. The effluent from primary clarifier is mixed with 40 to 50%

of own volume of activated sludge (R.A.S). Then it is mixed for 4 to 8 hours in the

aeration tank by the combined aerator which does compressed air diffusion and

mechanical mixing. The moving organisms oxidize the organic matter and make it to

settle in the secondary clarifier. The settled sludge known as activated sludge is then

recycled to head of aeration tank and mixed with the new entering sewage. New activated

sludge is produced continuously and W.A.S is disposed along with primary treated sludge

after proper digestion. The activated sludge plant results 80 to 95% of BOD removal and

90 to 95% bacteria removal by making the necessary set up such as (i) Ample supply of

oxygen to plant (ii) Intimate and continuous mixing sewage with activated sludge. (iii)

Constant rate of return sludge is made to be kept through out the process.
38. 39. AERATION TANK Aeration tank is the mixing and diffusing structure in the

activated sludge plant. These are rectangular in shape having the dimensions ranging 3 to

4.5m deep, 4 to 6m wide and 20 to 200m length. Air is introduced continuously to the

tank. Combined Aeration type aerators having the diffused air aeration as well as

mechanical aeration together in a single unit are used in the project. The Dorroco model

is designed as it gives higher efficiency and occupies less space. This results in higher

efficiency and lesser detention period and lesser amount of compressed air.

DESIGN

No. of Aeration tank = 2

Design flow = 26.56 MLD

Average flow of each tank = 265602 = 13280 m3

BOD at inlet = 0.8 x 300

(20 % of BOD removed at Grit chamber)

Yo = 240 mg/l

BOD at outlet YE = 20 mg/l

BOD Removed in Activated Plant = 240-20

= 220 mg/l
Minimum efficiency required in the activated plant = 220240

Min. efficiency = 91.7 %

Since the adopted extended aeration process can remove 85-92 %

Hence it is OK

MLSS (Xt) = 3000 mg/l F/M ratio = 0.4

Volume the tank required V = Q FM x YoXt

= 13280 X 2200.4 X 3000

= 2344.67 m3

≈ 2345 m3

Assume the liquid depth of the tank as 4.5 m The Width to Depth ratio as 2.2 BD = 2.2 B

= 9.9 m

≈ 10 m

L= 24354.5 X10

= 54 m

L = 54 m; B = 10 m; d = 4.5 m

Volume provided = 54 x 10 x 4.5 = 2430 m3

(i) CHECK FOR AERATION PERIOD / HRT:

Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) = t = V X 24Q

= 2430 X 2413280 = 4.39 hrs

Since it lies between 3-6 hrs it is OK.

(ii) CHECK FOR VOLUMETRIC LOADING:

Volumetric loading = Q X YoV

= 13280 X 2402430

= 1171.6 g/m3

=1.171 kg/m3

Since it lies between 1.0 – 1.2 it is OK

(iii) CHECK FOR RETURN SUDGE RATIO:

Return activated sludge = QrQ = Xt(106S.V.I-Xt

Where, S.V.I = Sludge Volume Index

Qr =Sludge Recirculation Rate 41

= QrQ = 3000(106115-3000)

= 53%
It lies between 0.5 – 1.0. Design is OK

(iv) CHECK FOR SRT (ӨC):

V x Xt = αy X Q X Yo-YE X Өc1+(KeX Өc)

Where, ���y = 0.5 constant for municipal sewage with respect to MLSS

Ke = 0.06 d-1 constant for municipal sewage

ӨC = Solids Retention Time (SRT)

Yo = 240 mg/l

YE = 20 mg/l

V = 2430 m3

Xt = 3000 mg/l

Q = 13280 m3/day 2430 x 3000 = 0.5 X 13280 x(240-20)

1+(0.06 X Өc ) 1+ 0.06 Өc = 0.2004

Өc = 10.2004

Өc = 7.12 days

It lies between 5-8 days. The deign is OK

Provide the Aeration tank as 54 m X 10 m X 4.5 m + 0.5 m (FB)

BOD5 applied to each tank = 240 mg/l

Average flow in each tank = 13280 m3/day

BOD5 removed in each tank = 13280 x 0.240

= 3187.2 kg/day

= 133 kg/hr

Oxygen requirement = 1 kg/kg of BOD applied

Peak oxygen demand =125 %

Oxygen transfer capacity of the aeration standard condition

= 1.9 kg/kWh

= 1.41 kg/HP/hr

Oxygen transfer capacity aerators at field conditions

= 0.9 x 1.41

= 1.269 kg/HP/hr

Oxygen to be applied in each tank = 1.0 x 133 x1.25

= 167 kg/hr

HP of aerators required = 1671.269

= 132 HP

Provide 4 Nos. of 40 HP aerators.

SECONDARY SEDIMENTATION TANK A sedimentation tank constructed next to

the aeration tank is the secondary sedimentation. This tank will be as the primary

sedimentation tank with certain modifications as no floating materials are here,

provisions for the removal of scum, floatage are not needed. The surface area for the

secondary sedimentation tank is designed for both overflow rate basis and solids loading

rate basis. The larger value is adopted.

DESIGN

No. of Secondary clarifier = 1

Average flow = 26560 m3/day

Recirculated flow = 53% = 14070 m3/day

Total inflow = 26560+14070 = 40630 m3/day

Provide hydraulic detention period = 2 hrs

Volume the tank (exclusive of hopper portion) = 40630 x 224 = 3386.4 m3

Assume liquid depth = 3.5 m

Area = 3386.43.5 = 967.54 m2

Surface loading rate of average flow = 25 m3/m2/day

Surface area provided = 2656025 =1062.4 m2

Using greater area of the two values

Therefore surface area = 1062.4 m2

Diameter =1062.4 X 4π =36.7 m ≈ 37 m

Provide diameter of 37m

(i) CHECK FOR WEIR LOADING:

Average flow = 26560 m3/day

Weir loading = 2656037 X π = 176.13 m3/day/m

It is lesser than 185 m3/day/m. Hence it is OK

(ii) CHECK FOR SOLIDS LOADING:

Recirculated flow = 14070 m3/day

Average flow = 26560 m3/day

MLSS in the tank = 3000 mg/l

Total solids in flow = (26560+14070) x 3 = 121890 kg/day

Solids loading = 121890967.54 = 125.98 kg/day/m2

It lies between 100-150 kg/m2/day Hence it is OK 46

Provide secondary sedimentation as 37 m (dias) X 3.5 m (depth) + 0.5 m (FB)

Hopper slope shall be 1in 12.

STABILIZATION TANK:

Total return flow = 14070 m3/day = 9.771 m3/min

Detention time = 15 min

Volume of wet well = 9.771 x 15 = 146.6 m3

Provide depth as 3m, width as 5 m

Therefore length is = 9.8 m

Wet well dimension as 9.8m X 5m X 3m + 0.5m (FB)

Dry well dimension as 9.8m X 9.8 m

2 No. of pump house each of 14.07 MLD capacity in the dry well are provided

SLUDGE DRYING BEDS

Drying of the digested sludge on open beds of land is sludge drying and such open beds

of land are known as sludge drying beds. The digested sludge from digestion tank
 contains a lot of water. So it is necessary to dry up or dewater the digested sludge before

it disposed of dumping. It is the quite suitable to dewater in Vellore due to its hot climate.

The sewage sludge is brought and spread over the top of drying beds to a depth of 20 to

30 cm, through distribution troughs. A portion of the moisture drains 47

39. 48. through the bed while most of it gets evaporated to the atmosphere. In hot countries

like India it takes 6 to 12 days to dry. After the period the sludge cakes are removed with

spades and they are used as manure as it contains 2 to 3% of NPK Sludge drying beds are

open beds of land 45 to 60 cm deep, 30 to 45 cm thick graded layers of gravel or crushed

stone varying in size from 15cm at bottom and 1.25 cm at top. Open jointed under drain

pipes of 15 cm diameter are laid below the gravel layers. Large beds are portioned by

concrete walls, and a pipe header from the digesters with gated openings allows

application of sludge independently to each cell. Seepage collected in the under-drains is

returned to the plant wet well for treatment with the raw wastewater.

DESIGN

Sludge applied to drying bed at the rate of 100kg/MLD

Sludge applied = 300kg/day

Specific gravity = 1.015

Solid content = 2%

Volume of sludge = 3000.02 X 1000 X 1.015 = 14.778m3/day

For Vellore weather condition the beds get dried out about 10 days.

Number of cycle in one year = 36510 = 37 cycles.

Period of each cycle = 10 days

Volume of sludge per cycle = 14.778 X 10 = 147.78 m3

Spreading a layer of 0.3m per cycle, 48

Area of bed required = 147.780.3 = 492.6 m2 ≈ 500 m2

Provide 5 nos. of beds,

Area of each bed = 100 m2

5 beds of dimension 12.5m X 8m are designed.

SEWAGE DISPOSAL The disposal of treated effluent into land or water body is

sewage disposal. This can be of two methods, (i) Dilution – disposal in water bodies. (ii)

Effluent irrigation – disposal on land. DILUTION: The disposal of effluent by

discharging it into water courses such as streams, rivers or large body of water such as

lake, sea is called dilution. EFFLUENT IRRIGATION: When the effluent is evenly

spread on the surface of land it is effluent irrigation. The water of sewage percolates on

the ground and the suspended solids remain at the surface of the ground. The remaining

organic suspended solids are partly acted upon by the bacteria and are partly oxidized by

exposure to atmospheric actions of heat, light and air. While considering the

characteristics of Vellore Corporation it is preferred that Effluent Irrigation i.e. land

 disposal for the following reasons. (i) Vellore Corporation is not a coastal city i.e. sea is

out of reach. Vellore does not have any perennial river makes impossible for dilution. (ii)

The nearby river stream Pallar has very small amount of dry weather flow. In summer

season it runs dry. (iii) The Sewage Treatment Plant is designed according to Indian

Standards which produces effluent having lesser hazardous characteristics than the

standards of land disposing. (iv) It is an alternative source of water for irrigation and it

contains the manure and some amount of NPK compounds. 50

40. 51. 51

41. 52. Tolerance limit as per Sl.no Characteristics Effluent from the plant IS : 3307-1986 1

pH 5.5-9.0 5.5-9.0 2 BOD 100 mg/l ≤ 20 mg/l 3 Suspended solids 200 mg/l ≤ 30 mg/l 4

Oil & Grease 10 mg/l ≤ 5 mg/l 5 Chlorides 600 mg/l ≤ 400 mg/l 6 Sulphate 1000 mg/l ≤

250 mg/l Comparison between IS : 3307-1986 and expected effluent’s characteristics.

The effluent to be disposed in Land Effluent Irrigation method and it is done by

constructing Ridge and Furrow in the disposal land. Here the land is first ploughed up to

45cm, then leveled and divided into plots and sub-plots. Then each sub-plot is enclosed

by small dykes. Now ridges and furrows are formed in each sub-plot. The sewage is

allowed to flow in furrows, whereas crops are grown on ridges. After an interval of 8-10

days the sewage can be again applied depending on the crops requirement and the nature

of the soil. 52

42. 56. PLANT DETAILS COMPONENT TYPE NOS DIMENSIONS

Receiving 1 6.2m X 3m X 3m (SWD) + 0.5m (FB) chamber 1 manual

Coarse screen 2 1.2m X 0.7m (SWD) + 0.5m (FB) 1 mechanical

Horizontal Grit chamber 2 5.7m X 6m X 3m Flow type Disc type,

Fine screen 2 3.2 m X 0.8 m (SWD) + 0.5 m (FB)

Mechanical Air diffuser + Skimming tank 1 1.5m X 1m X 3m + 0.5m (FB)

Chlorine gas Circular type,

Primary clarifier 1 29.2m Ø X 2.5m (SWD) + 0.5m (FB)

Radial flow Combined- Aeration tank 1 54m X 10m X 4.5m + 0.5m (FB)

Dorocco type Secondary Circular type, 1 37m Ø X 3.5m (SWD) + 0.5m (FB) clarifier

Radial flow Sludge Drying Sand + Graded 5 12.5m X 8m bed graveled 56