ONLINE PROJECT REPORT ON

SECONDARY WASTE WATER TREATMENT

Activated Sludge Treatment (dried bacteria, culture
process), Trickling Filters

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of

BACHELORS OF TECHNOLOGY

IN

FOOD TECHNOLOGY (2016-2020)

SUBMITTED BY

ROZMA KHAN (16BTFT132)

SAM HIGGINBOTTOM UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY AND

SCIENCES.

SUBMITTED TO: ER.DORCUS MASIH

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO

Abstract 3

1 Introduction 4

2 Review Of Literature 7

3 Materials and Methods 8

4 Results and Discussion 37

5 Conclusion 45

References 46

ABSTRACT

PAGE -2
Secondary waste water treatment followed by the primary treatment involves the biological
process of reducing suspended, colloidal, and dissolved organic matter in effluent from primary
treatment systems and which generally removes 80 to 95 percent of the Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD) and suspended matter. Secondary wastewater treatment may be accomplished by
biological or chemical -physical methods. Activated sludge and trickling filters are two of the
most common means of secondary treatment. It is accomplished by bringing together waste,
bacteria, and oxygen in trickling filters or in the activated sludge process. This treatment
removes floating and settle-able solids and about 90 percent of the oxygen-demanding
substances and suspended solids. Disinfection is the final stage of secondary treatment. An
attempt has been taken to explain and conceptualize designed parameters and the technique
relevant to secondary waste water treatment.

CHAPTER-1

PAGE -3
 INTRODUCTION

Wastewater is any water whose quality and visual worth has been harmfully affected by
anthropogenic influences. Wastewater is formed when water from a variety of sources is used to
the extent that its quality is degraded due to the waste generated from the food industry.
Wastewater generated from these industries depicts wide variation in strength and characteristics.
Variation due to the amount of water usage, type of vegetable and fruits used, type of product
and different additives like salt, sugar, gelatin, colors, oil and preservatives added also leads to
the pollution load in the wastewater but this wastewater is non toxic in nature because it
comprises less hazardous compounds. Almost 50% of the water utilized in food processing
industry is for washing and rinsing purposes. Water being the primary ingredient is widely used
as a cleaning agent in food processing industry. This wastewater needs to be treated by
employing the biological techniques. Wastewater recycling, reclamation or reuse is the direct or
indirect use of treated wastewater effluent for beneficial purposes. Recycled water from the
food industry can be used for agriculture, landscape, toilet flushing, parking area , cooling
water for power plants and refineries, dust control during road construction, concrete
mixing, site clean-up and other construction activities.

Secondary treatment is designed to substantially degrade the biological content of the sewage
such as are derived from human waste, food waste, soaps and detergent. The majority of
industrial plants treat the settled sewage liquor using aerobic biological processes. For this to be
effective, the biota requires both oxygen and a substrate on which to live. There are number of
ways in which this is done. In all these methods, the bacteria and protozoa consume
biodegradable soluble organic contaminants (e.g. sugars, fats, organic short-chain carbon
molecules, etc.) and bind much of the less soluble fractions into floc. Secondary treatment
systems are classified as fixed film or suspended growth. Fixed-film treatment process including
trickling filter and rotating biological contactors where the biomass grows on media and the
sewage passes over its surface. In suspended growth systems—such as activated sludge—the
biomass is well mixed with the sewage and can be operated in a smaller space than fixed-film
systems that treat the same amount of water. However, fixed-film systems are more able to cope
with drastic changes in the amount of biological material and can provide higher removal rates
for organic material and suspended solids than suspended growth systems.

PAGE -4
 PIC SOURCE: e-course online

LINK: https://youtu.be/ciPFC3Y2rkg (An overview of activated sludge process)

The main objective of secondary waste water treatment is the removal of organic matter organic
matter present in the following form

 dissolved organic matter (soluble or filter BOD) that is not removed by merely
physical operations, such as the sedimentation that occurs in primary treatment;
 organic matter in suspension (suspended or particulate BOD), which is
largely removed in the occasionally existing primary treatment, but whose
solids with slower settle-ability (finer solids) remain in the liquid mass.

OBJECTIVE:

 To access the operational characteristics of secondary waste water treatment .

 To study the construction and working and principle of the procedure employed.

CHAPTER-2

PAGE -5
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Zhou Jia et al.(2015) Studied Activated Sludge Process model . Wastewater treatment plant can
monitor and control the capacity and efficiency of sewage treatment accurately through activated
sludge process model. He has demonstrates the development and improvement of the activated
sludge process model in detail. Thus it combs the whole process of activated sludge process
model and establishes the solid foundation for the further research and improvement of activated
sludge process model.

Vanerkar et al (2013) Depicted the need for treating the waste generated from food industry.
Since Food processing industry wastewater poses pollution problems due to its high COD
(Chemical Oxygen Demand) and BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand). Moreover the
characteristics of wastewater depict wide variation due to the variation in the type of products
manufactured and also the different fruits, vegetables and raw materials used. It is therefore
preferable to provide physicochemical treatment, using different coagulant and coagulants aids
thus reducing the organic load on secondary biological treatment.

Nikolay Voutchkov (2017) Studied the different types clarifier used in the industry for the
removal of waste generated. Clarifiers (also referenced as sedimentation tanks or settlers) are an
integral part of every wastewater treatment plant. These treatment facilities are used to remove
solids from the wastewater by gravity sedimentation in quiescent conditions. All clarifiers have
two functional zones – a clarification zone, where the process of gravity sedimentation occurs,
and a thickening zone where the settled solids are accumulated forming a dense layer of sludge
(sludge blanket).

Fayza A. Nasr et al.(2012)Studied propose and appropriate treatment technology for wastewater
discharged from pasteurized liquid egg factory. Plant located in Rudrapur industrial city. The
results showed that the wastewater discharged from pasteurized liquid egg production factory
was highly contaminated with organic pollutants in terms of COD and BOD. Chemical
coagulation using ferric chloride aided with polymer gave better results than the biological
treatment using activated sludge, the removal efficiency of the chemical coagulation reached
94% for both COD and BOD.

PAGE -6
Malollari et al.(2019) Shows that in the food industries during material processing it is required
large quantities of potable water, and nearly all of this is discharged as risky contaminated with
strength organic compounds, nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus), fat and other microbial
contaminated effluent. From the results of the paper it is evident the preparation of a national
guidance manual with a menu of water management measures and practices from which to
choose for various sources and categories of organic wastes, and that is why we have tried to
apply also possible models and following with simulation procedure towards the use of waste
characteristics to establish and design a proper process diagram for their treatment and energy
profit through their proper handling.

Swati A. Patil et al (2014)Studies about the dairy industry waste water treatment. Dairy
industry uses 4L of water per L of milk, which comes out as a waste water, In fact, in a survey
made by Environmental Protection Agency of U SA in 1950, the 2nd major cause of water
pollution was dairy effluent .Dairy waste water is a diluted milk .It contains BOD, COD, total
solids dissolved solids and sometimes PH and oil-grease as highly biodegradable and COD/BOD
is less than 1.5.

Kunwar Paritosh et al (2014) Studied that food wastage and its accumulation are becoming a
critical problem around.. Anaerobic digestion approach has appeared as one of the most
ecofriendly and promising solutions for food wastes management, energy, and nutrient
production, which can contribute to world’s ever-increasing energy requirements. He has briefly
described and explored the different aspects of anaerobic biodegrading approaches for food
waste, effects of co-substrates, effect of environmental factors, contribution of microbial
population, and available computational resources for food waste management research.

CHAPTER-3

MATERIALS AND METHOD

PAGE -7
This report deals with the detail process of secondary waste water technique used in food
processing sector to treat waste .It shows different methodology adopted by industries to
accomplish the treatment of the waste generated .

THE SECONDARY WASTE WATER TREATMENT is the further treatment of the effluent
from primary treatment to remove the residual organics and suspended solids. In most cases,
secondary treatment follows primary treatment and involves the removal of biodegradable
dissolved and colloidal organic matter using aerobic biological treatment processes. Aerobic
biological treatment is performed in the presence of oxygen by aerobic microorganisms
(principally bacteria) that metabolize the organic matter in the wastewater, thereby producing
more microorganisms and inorganic end-products (principally CO2, NH3, and H2O).

Several aerobic biological processes are used for secondary treatment differing primarily in the
manner in which oxygen is supplied to the microorganisms and in the rate at which organisms
metabolize the organic matter. The microorganisms must be separated from the treated
wastewater by sedimentation to produce clarified secondary effluent. The sedimentation tanks
used in secondary treatment, often referred to as secondary clarifiers, operate and remove the
solids . The biological solids removed during secondary sedimentation, called secondary or

PAGE -8
biological sludge, are normally combined with primary sludge for sludge processing.

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A great variety of microorganisms take part in the process: bacteria, protozoa, fungi and others.
The basis of the whole biological process is the effective contact between these organisms and
the organic matter contained in the sewage, in such a way that it can be used as food for the
microorganisms. The microorganisms convert the organic matter into carbon dioxide, water and
cellular material (growth and reproduction of the microorganisms). This biological
decomposition of the organic matter requires the presence of oxygen as a fundamental
component of the aerobic processes, besides the maintenance of other favorable environmental
conditions, such as temperature, pH, contact time, etc.

BACTERIA METABOLISM

NEW BACTERIA

PAGE -9
 BACTERIA + ORGANIC MATTER WATER + GASES

ENERGY

A simple representation of the metabolism of the bacteria for the treatment

LINK(https://youtu.be/epAh6hHOq3c )

There exists a large variety of secondary treatment processes, and the most common
ones are:

 Stabilization ponds
 Land disposal systems
 Anaerobic reactors
 Activated sludge systems
 Aerobic bio- film reactor

STABILIZATION PONDS

Detail animation of the different stabilization ponds used to treat waste :

(https://youtu.be/JYnTOiHP_dU )
Stabilization ponds are units specially designed and built with the purpose of treating sewage.
However, the construction is simple and is principally based on earth movement for digging,
filling and embankment preparation.

PAGE -10
 Basic mechanism of the stabilization pond

Source: Global water pathogen project report

The following variants of stabilization ponds are :

 Facultative ponds
 Anaerobic pond – facultative ponds systems
 Facultative aerated lagoons
 Complete-mix aerated lagoon – sedimentation pond systems

CONSTRUCTION , WORKING AND PRINCIPLE OF FACULTATIVE

PONDS
.

PAGE -11
 Bacteria respiration: A light energy source, in this case
• Oxygen consumption represented by the sun, is necessary for
• Carbon-dioxide production
photosynthesis to occur. For this
Algae photosynthesis:
reason, locations with high solar
• oxygen production
• carbon- dioxide consumption radiation and low cloudiness are
favourable for the implementation of

A SIMPLE REPRESENTATION OF THE FACULTATIVE POND

SOURCE: http://dss.aquanes.eu/Default.aspx?t=1727

WORKING OF THE PROCESS:

When facultative ponds receive raw sewage, they are also called primary ponds (a secondary
pond would be the one which would receive its influent from a previous treatment unit, such as
anaerobic pond. The influent enters continuously in one end of the pond and leaves in the
opposite end. During this time, which is of the order of many days, a series of events contribute
to the purification of the sewage. Part of the organic matter in suspension (particulate BOD)
PAGE -12
tends to settle, constituting the bottom sludge. This sludge undergoes a decomposition process
by anaerobic microorganisms and is converted into carbon dioxide, methane and other
compounds. The inert fraction (non-biodegradable) stays in this bottom layer.
The dissolved organic matter (soluble BOD) , together with the small-dimension organic matter
in suspension (fine particulate BOD), does not settle and stays dispersed in the liquid mass. Its
decomposition is through facultative bacteria that have the capacity to survive ,either in the
presence or in the absence of free oxygen (but presence of nitrate), hence the designation of
facultative, which also define the name of the pond. These bacteria use the organic matter as
energy source, which is released through respiration. The presence of oxygen is necessary in
aerobic respiration , and it is supplied to the medium by the photosynthesis carried out by the
algae. There is an equilibrium between consumption and the production of oxygen and carbon
dioxide.

CONSTRUCTION , WORKING AND PRINCIPLE OF ANAEROBIC POND –

FACULTATIVE PONDS SYSTEMS

The raw sewage enters a pond that has smaller dimensions and is deeper (around 4 to
5 m). Owing to the smaller dimensions of this pond, photosynthesis practically does
not occur. In the balance between oxygen consumption and production, consumption
is much higher. Therefore, anaerobic conditions predominate in this first pond, which
is consequently called an anaerobic pond.

Anaerobic bacteria have a slower metabolic and reproduction rate than the aerobic
bacteria. For a detention time of only 2 to 5 days in the anaerobic pond ,there is only
partial decomposition of the organic matter However, the BOD removal of the order of
50 to 70% ,even if in sufficient represents a large contribution, substantially reducing
the load to the facultative pond that is situated down-stream.

PAGE -13
 AN ANAEROBIC POND

CONSTRUCTION , WORKING AND PRINCIPLE OF FACULTATIVE AERATED

LAGOONS

The BOD removal mechanisms are similar to those of a facultative pond .

However ,oxygen is supplied by mechanical aerators instead of through
photosynthesis. The aeration is not enough to keep the solids in suspension, and
a large part of the sewage solids and bio-mass settles, being decomposed an-
aerobically at the bottom.

The most commonly used mechanical aerators in aerated ponds are those with a
vertical axis that rotates at a high speed, causing great turbulence in the water. This
turbulence favors the penetration of atmospheric oxygen into the liquid mass , where
it is then dissolved. A greater oxygen introduction is achieved, in comparison with the
conventional facultative pond, which leads to a faster decomposition of the organic
matter. Because of this, the detention time of the wastewater in the pond can be less
(in the order of 5 to 10 days for domestic sewage) .Consequently, the land

PAGE -14
 requirements are much smaller.

FACULTATIVE AERATED LAGOON

Link shows the process animation:
https://www.lemnatechnologies.com/biological-treatment-process

CONSTRUCTION , WORKING AND PRINCIPLE OF COMPLETE-MIX AERATED

LAGOON – SEDIMENTATION POND SYSTEMS

The energy introduced per unit volume of the pond is high, what makes the solids
(principally the biomass) remain dispersed in the liquid medium, in complete
mixing. The resulting higher biomass concentration in the liquid medium increases
the BOD removal efficiency, which allows this pond to have a volume smaller than
a facultative aerated lagoon. However, the effluent contains high levels of solids
(bacteria) that need to be removed before being discharged into the receiving body.
The sedimentation pond down stream provide conditions for this removal.

A way of reducing the aerated pond volume even further is to increase the aeration level per

PAGE -15
unit volume of the lagoon, thus creating a turbulence that, besides guaranteeing oxygenation,
allows all the solids to be maintained in suspension in the liquid medium. The denomination of
complete mix is because of the high degree of energy per unit volume, which is responsible for
the total mixing of all the constituents in the pond. Amongst the solids maintained in suspension
and in complete mixing are the biomass, besides the organic matter of the raw sewage. There is,
therefore, a larger concentration of bacteria in the liquid medium as well as a larger organic
matter – biomass contact. Consequently, the efficiency of the system increases and allows the
volume of the aerated pond to be greatly reduced. The typical detention time in an aerated pond
is in the order of 2 to 4days.

MIX AERATED LAGOON – SEDIMENTATION POND SYSTEMS

Source: https://sswm.info/factsheet/aerated-pond
Link shows the how egg processing waste is treated by mixed aerated lagoon
https://youtu.be/vazxt0pSNGU

CONSTRUCTION , WORKING AND PRINCIPLE OF HIGH RATED

PONDS

PAGE -16
High rate ponds are conceived in order to maximise algal production, in a totally
aerobic environment. To accomplish this, lower depths are employed, allowing
light penetration throughout the liquid mass. Therefore, photosynthetic activity is
high, leading to high dissolved oxygen concentrations and pH levels. These factors
contribute to the increase of the pathogens die-off and to the removal of nutrients.
High rate ponds usually receive a high organic load per unit surface area. Usually
a moderate agitation in the liquid is introduced, caused by a low-power mechanical
equipment. Ammonia removal occurs by stripping of the free ammonia (NH 3), since in
high pH conditions the ammonia equilibrium shifts in the direction of free ammonia.

Phosphorus removal also occurs as a result of the high pH, which causes the precipitation of the
phosphates into the form of hydroxyl-apatite or struvite. The high rate ponds receive a high
organic load per unit surface area. There is usually the introduction of moderate agitation in the
pond, which is achieved by means of a horizontal- axis rotor or equivalent equipment .Its
function is not to aerate, but to gently move the liquid mass. This agitation improves the contact
of the influent with the bacteria and algae, reduces dead zones and facilitates the exposure of a
larger quantity of algae to sun light.
The configuration of the pond can be in the form of a carrousel, similar to an oxidation ditch.
The high rate ponds can come after facultative ponds, in which a large part of the BOD is
removed, leaving the polishing in terms of pathogen and nutrient removal for the high rate
ponds.

LINK shows how high aeration improves the waste management system SINCE the
design parameter is same , the animated process is explained:
https://youtu.be/dEc0BBia6gs

LAND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

PAGE -17
 The objectives may be for
SLOW RATE
(a) wastewater treatment or
SYSTEM
(b) water reuse through crop production or landscape irrigation.

Wastewater is applied to the soil, supplying water and nutrients necessary

for plant growth. Part of the liquid evaporates, part percolates into the soil,
and the largest fraction is absorbed by the plants The surface application
rates are very low. The liquid can be applied by sprinkling, graded-border,
furrow and drip irrigation.

RAPID IN- Wastewater is applied in shallow basins. The liquid passes through the
FILTRATION porous bottom and percolates into the soil. The evaporation loss is lower in
view of the higher application rates. Vegetation may or may not be used. The
application is intermittent, which provides a rest period for the soil. The
most common types are: application for groundwater recharge, recovery
using under drains and recovery using wells.

PAGE -18
SUB SURFACE Pre settled sewage (usually from septic tanks) is applied below the soil
IN-FILTRATION surface. The in - filteration trenches or chambers are filled with a porous
medium, which provides transportation, storage and partial treatment,
followed by the in -filtration itself.

OVER LAND Wastewater is distributed in the upper part of vegetated slopes, flow over the
FLOW slopes and is collected by ditches at the lower part. Treatment occurs in the
root-soil system. The application is intermittent. Distribution of wastewater
may be by high-pressure sprinklers, low-pressure sprays and gated or

PAGE -19
 perforated pipes or channels.

CONSTRUCTED While the former systems are land-based systems, these are aquatic-based
WETLANDS systems. The systems are composed by shallow basins or channels in which
aquatic plants grow. The system can be of free-water surface (water level
above ground level) or subsurface flow (water level below ground level).
Biological, chemical and physical mechanisms act on the root–soil system.

ANAEROBIC REACTORS

PAGE -20
 A simple mechanism an anaerobic digester

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-11826-5

There are two types of anaerobic reactors are used:

 Anaerobic Filter (frequently treating septic tank effluents )

 UASB (Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ) Reactor

ANAEROBIC FILTER (frequently treating septic tank effluents )

Working Principle and Construction

The septic tank can be a single – chamber tank or a two – compartment tank (called an
Imhoff tank) . In the single chamber tank ,there is no physical separation between the
regions of the raw sewage solids sedimentation and bottom sludge digestion. The single
chamber tanks can be single or in series.

PAGE -21
 In the Imhoff tank , settling occurs in the upper compartment (settling
compartment) .The settled solids pass through an opening at the bottom of the
compartment and are directed to the bottom compartment (digestion compartment). The
accumulated sludge then undergoes anaerobic digestion. The gases originating from the
anaerobic digestion do not interfere with the settling process, as they cannot penetrate
inside the sedimentation chamber.
Because septic tanks are sedimentation tanks (no biochemical reactions in the liquid
phase) , BOD removal is limited. The effluent , still with high organic matter
concentration , goes to the anaerobic filter , where further removal takes place under
anaerobic conditions. The filter is a bio-film reactor: the biomass grows attached to a
support medium, usually stone.

Anaerobic filter
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/anaerobic-filter
Link shows anaerobic filter process in detail: https://youtu.be/mXMEPYrRlmU
UASB (UP-FLOW ANAEROBIC SLUDGE BLANKET ) REACTOR

CONSTRUCTION, WORKING AND PRINCIPLE:

PAGE -22
In the UASB reactors , the bio-mass grows dispersed in the liquid, and not attached to a
support medium, as in the case of anaerobic filters . When bio-mass grows it can form
small granules, which are a result of the agglutination of various microorganisms . These
small granules tend to serve as a support medium for other organisms . The granulation
increases the efficiency of the system, but it is not essential for the working of the reactor , and
is actually difficult to be obtained with domestic waste water . The concentration of the bio-
mass in the reactor is very high ,justifying the name of sludge blanket. Owing to this high
concentration, the volume required for the UASB reactor is greatly reduced in comparison with
all other treatment systems. The liquid enters at the bottom ,where it meet the sludge blanket
,leading to the adsorption of the organic matter by the biomass. The flow is upward. As a result
of the anaerobic activity, gases are formed (mainly methane and carbon-dioxide) and the
bubbles also present arising tendency .The upper part of the anaerobic sludge blanket reactor
presents a structure ,whose functions are the separation and accumulation of the gas and the
separation and return of the solids(biomass). In this way, the biomass is kept in the system
(leading to high concentrations in the reactor) ,and only a minor fraction leaves with the
effluent. This structure is called a three-phase separator, as it separates the liquid, solids, and
gases.
The form of the separator is frequently that of an inverted cone or pyramid. The gas is
collected in the upper part of the separator ,in the gas compartment , from where it can be
removed for reuse (energy from methane) or burning. The solids settle in the upper part of these
part or ,in the settling compartment , and drain down the steeply inclined walls until they return
to the reactor body. In this way, a large part of the biomass is retained by the system by simple
gravitational return .Owing to the high solids retention ,the hydraulic detention time can be low
(in the order of 6 to 10 h). Because the gas bubbles do not penetrate the settling zone , the
separation of the solids- liquid is not impaired .The effluent is relatively clarified when it leaves
the settling compartment ,and the concentration of the biomass in the reactor is maintained at a
high level.

The sludge production is very low .The sludge wasted from the reactor is already digested and
thickened, and may be simply de-watered in drying beds or other dewatering process. The de-

PAGE -23
waterability of the sludge is very good.

UASB (Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ) Reactor

Source: epg pathshala
Link shows an USAB reactor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QsEdlJgllI

ACTIVATED SLUDGE SYSTEMS

The activated sludge process is a wastewater treatment method in which the carbonaceous
organic matter of wastewater provides an energy source for the production of new cells for a

PAGE -24
mixed population of microorganisms in an aquatic aerobic environment. The microbes convert
carbon into cell tissue and oxidized end products that include carbon dioxide and water. In
addition, a limited number of microorganisms may exist in activated sludge that obtain energy by
oxidizing ammonia nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen in the process known as nitrification.

Bacteria constitute the majority of microorganisms present in activated sludge. Bacteria that
require organic compounds for their supply of carbon and energy (heterotrophic bacteria)
predominate, whereas bacteria that use inorganic compounds for cell growth (autotrophic
bacteria) occur in proportion to concentrations of carbon and nitrogen. Both aerobic and
anaerobic bacteria may exist in the activated sludge, but the preponderance of species are
facultative, able to live in either the presence of or lack of dissolved oxygen.

Fungi, rotifers, and protozoan are also residents of activated sludge. The latter microorganisms
are represented largely by ciliated species, but flagellated protozoan and amoebae may also be
present. Protozoan serve as indicators of the activated sludge condition, and ciliated species are
instrumental in removing Escherichia coli from sewage. Additionally, viruses of human origin
may be found in raw sewage influent, but a large percentage appears to be removed by the
activated- sludge process.

The success of the activated-sludge process is dependent upon establishing a mixed community
of microorganisms that will remove and consume organic waste material, that will aggregate and
adhere in a process known as bio flocculation, and that will settle in such a manner as to produce
a concentrated sludge (return activated sludge, or RAS) for recycling. Any of several types of
activated sludge solids separations problems indicate an imbalance in the biological component

PAGE -25
of this process. In the ideal "healthy" system, filamentous organisms grow within a floc (a large
aggregate of adherent, or floc-forming, microorganisms, such as bacteria) and give it strength,
with few filaments protruding out into the surrounding bulk solution. In such a system, there is
no interference with the compaction and settling rates of the activated sludge prior to its
recycling.

In the figure
above,
following are the
terms:

Q= flow rate of influent [m3/d]

QW = waste sludge flow rate [m3/d]

Qr = Flow rate in return line from clarifier [m3/d]

V= volume of aeration tank [m3]

S0 = influent soluble substrate concentration [BOD g/m3]

S= effluent soluble substrate concentration [BOD g/m3]

X0 = concentration of biomass in influent [g VSS/m3]

PAGE -26
XR = concentration of biomass in return line from clarifier [g VSS/m3]

Xr = concentration of biomass in sludge drain [g VSS/m3]

Xe = concentration of biomass in effluent [g VSS/m3]

The activated-sludge process is a biological method of wastewater treatment that is performed by

a variable and mixed community of microorganisms in an aerobic aquatic environment. These
microorganisms derive energy from carbonaceous organic matter in aerated wastewater for the
production of new cells in a process known as synthesis, while simultaneously releasing energy
through the conversion of this organic matter into compounds that contain lower energy, such as
carbon dioxide and water, in a process called respiration. As well, a variable number of
microorganisms in the system obtain energy by converting ammonia nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen
in a process termed nitrification. This consortium of microorganisms, the biological component
of the process, is known collectively as activated sludge.

The overall goal of the activated-sludge process is to remove substances that have a demand for
oxygen from the system. This is accomplished by the metabolic reactions (synthesis-respiration
and nitrification) of the microorganisms, the separation and settling of activated-sludge solids to
create an acceptable quality of secondary wastewater effluent, and the collection and recycling of
microorganisms back into the system or removal of excess microorganisms from the system.

WORKING:

Link shows the working of the activated sludge process: https://youtu.be/ciPFC3Y2rkg

The first is an aeration tank or tanks in which air or oxygen is introduced into the system to
create an aerobic environment that meets the needs of the biological community and that keeps
the activated sludge properly mixed. At least seven modifications in the shape and number of
tanks exist to produce variations in the pattern of flow.

Second, an aeration source is required to ensure that adequate oxygen is fed into the tank(s) and
that the appropriate mixing takes place. This source may be provided by pure oxygen,
compressed air or mechanical aeration. Just as there are modifications in the shape and number

PAGE -27
of aeration tanks that can be used in the activated-sludge process, different equipment systems
exist to deliver air or oxygen into aeration tanks.

Third, in the activated-sludge process, aeration tanks are followed by secondary clarifiers. In
secondary clarifiers, activated-sludge solids separate from the surrounding water by the process
of flocculation (the formation of large particle aggregates, or flocs, by the adherence of floc-
forming organisms to filamentous organisms) and gravity sedimentation, in which flocs settle
toward the bottom of the clarifier in a quiescent environment. This separation leads ideally to the
formation of a secondary effluent (wastewater having a low level of activated-sludge solids in
suspension) in the upper portion of the clarifier and a thickened sludge comprised of flocs,
termed return activated sludge, or RAS, in the bottom portion of the clarifier.

Next, return activated sludge must be collected from the secondary clarifiers and pumped back to
the aeration tank(s) before dissolved oxygen is depleted. In this way, the biological community
needed to metabolize influent organic or inorganic matter in the wastewater stream is
replenished.

Finally, activated sludge containing an over abundance of microorganisms must be removed, or

wasted (waste activated sludge, or WAS), from the system. This is accomplished with the use of
pumps and is done in part to control the food-to-microorganism ratio in the aeration tank(s).

THE BIOLOGICAL COMPONENT OF THE ACTIVATED-SLUDGE

SYSTEM

Link of aerobic digestion process in detail: https://youtu.be/mGYMxzusI0w

The biological component of the activated sludge system is comprised of microorganisms. The
composition of these microorganisms is 70 to 90 percent organic matter and 10 to 30 percent
organic matter. Cell makeup depends on both the chemical composition of the wastewater and
the specific characteristics of the organisms in the biological community. Bacteria, fungi,
protozoa, and rotifers constitute the biological component, or biological mass, of activated
sludge. In addition, some metazoan, such as nematode worms, may be present. However, the

PAGE -28
constant agitation in the aeration tanks and sludge recirculation are deterrents to the growth of
higher organisms.

The species of microorganism that dominates a system depends on environmental conditions,

process design, the mode of plant operation, and the characteristics of the secondary influent
wastewater. The microorganisms that are of greatest numerical importance in activated sludge
are bacteria, which occur as microscopic individuals from one micron in size to visible
aggregations or colonies of individuals. Some bacteria are strict aerobes (they can only live in the
presence of oxygen), whereas others are anaerobes (they are active only in the absence of
oxygen). The preponderance of bacteria living in activated sludge are facultative—able to live in
either the presence or absence of oxygen, an important factor in the survival of activated sludge
when dissolved oxygen concentrations are low or perhaps approaching depletion.

While both heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria reside in activated sludge, the former
predominate. Heterotrophic bacteria obtain energy from carbonaceous organic matter in influent
wastewater for the synthesis of new cells. At the same time, they release energy via the
conversion of organic matter into compounds such as carbon dioxide and water. Important
genera of heterotrophic bacteria include Achromobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter,
Citromonas, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Zoogloea.

NITRIFICATION

2 NH4+ + 3O2 =2NO2- + 4H+ + 2H2O + energy

Nitrosomonas

2NO2 + O2 =2NO3- + energy

Nitrobacter

Nitrification generally occurs when the time that the sludge stays in the system (called the mean
cell residence time, or MCRT) is increased. A longer mean cell residence time, therefore, allows
an adequate population of nitrifying bacteria to be built up. However, because the oxygen

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demand for complete nitrification is high, both the necessary oxygen supply and power
requirements for the system will be increased. Moreover, optimum pH for the growth of
nitrifying bacteria is in the 8 to 9 range, with pH levels below 7 causing a substantial reduction in
nitrification activity. In the process of converting ammonia to nitrate, mineral acidity is
produced. In instances when insufficient alkalinity exists, the pH in the system will drop,
potentially inhibiting nitrification. Finally, though nitrification occurs over a wide range of
temperatures, a reduction in temperature produces a slower rate of reaction.

ADVANTAGES OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS

AEROBIC BIO- FILM REACTOR:

Trickling filter consists of a fixed bed of rocks, gravel, slag, polyurethane foam, sphagnum peat
moss, or plastic media over which sewage or other wastewater flows downward and is contacted

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A
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S
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IV
T
F
G
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with a layer or film of microbial slime covering the bed media. Aerobic conditions are
maintained either by forced air flowing through the bed or natural convection of air if the filter
medium is porous.

Source: RESEARCH GATE

A DESIGN GUIDELINE TO TRICKLING FILTER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=r-0wRzGbSqw

WORKING:

The process mechanism involves adsorption of organic compounds in the sewage or other
wastewater by the layer of microbial slime, diffusion of air into the slime layer to furnish the
oxygen required for the biochemical oxidation of the organic compounds to release carbon
dioxide gas, water and other oxidized end products. As the slime layer thickens, it becomes more
difficult for air to penetrate the layer and an inner anaerobic layer is probably formed. For some
plastic-mesh material filters this slime layer will build and eventually slough off the smooth
plastic walls into the treated effluent as a sludge that requires subsequent removal and disposal.

PAGE -31
Other filters utilizing higher-density media such as sand, foam and peat moss do not produce a
sludge that must be removed.

The terms trickle filter, trickling biofilter, biofilter, biological filter and biological trickling
filter are often used to refer to a trickling filter.

These systems have also been described as intermittent filters, packed media bed filters,
alternative septic systems, percolating filters, attached growth processes, and fixed film
processes.

Types

Two of the basic types of trickle filters are those applied to the treatment of sewage and those
applied to the treatment of industrial wastewater.

Sewage treatment trickle filters

Sewage trickling filters are used in areas not serviced by municipal wastewater treatment plants
(WWTP). They are typically installed in areas where the traditional septic tank system are
failing, cannot be installed due to site limitations, or where improved levels of treatment are
required for environmental benefits such as preventing contamination of ground water or surface
water.

Sites with a high water table, high bedrock, heavy clay, small land area, or which require
minimal site destruction (for example, tree removal) are ideally suited for trickling filters.

All varieties of sewage trickling filters have a low and sometimes intermittent power
consumption. They can be somewhat more expensive than traditional septic tank-leach field
systems, however their use allows for better treatment, a reduction in size of disposal area, less
excavation, and higher density land development.

CONCTRUCTION:
https://youtu.be/xqBEqiHV1kU an overview of trickling filter

PAGE -32
All sewage trickling filter systems share the same fundamental components:

 a septic tank for fermentation and primary settling of solids

 a filter medium upon which beneficial microbes (biomass, biofilm) are promoted and
developed
 a container which houses the filter medium
 a distribution system for applying wastewater to be treated to the filter medium
 a distribution system for disposal of the treated effluent.

By treating septic tank effluent before it is distributed into the ground, higher treatment levels are
obtained and smaller disposal means such as leach field, shallow pressure trench or area beds are
required.

Systems can be configured for single-pass use where the treated water is applied to the trickling
filter once before being disposed of, or for multi-pass use where a portion of the treated water is
cycled back to the septic tank and re-treated via a closed-loop. Multi-pass systems result in
higher treatment quality and assist in removing Total Nitrogen (TN) levels by promoting
nitrification in the aerobic media bed and denitrification in the anaerobic septic tank.

Trickling filters differ primarily in the type of filter media used to house the microbial colonies.
Types of media most commonly used include plastic matrix material, open-cell polyurethane
foam, sphagnum peat moss, recycled tires, clinker, gravel,sand and geotextiles. Ideal filter
medium optimizes surface area for microbial attachment, wastewater retention time, allows air
flow, resists plugging and does not degrade. Some residential systems require forced aeration
units which will increase maintenance and operational costs.

PAGE -33
 A typical complete trickling filter system

Industrial wastewater treatment trickle filters

Wastewaters from a variety of industrial processes have been treated in trickling filters. Such
industrial wastewater trickling filters consist of two types:

 Large tanks or concrete enclosures filled with plastic packing or other media.

 Vertical towers filled with plastic packing or other media.

The availability of inexpensive plastic tower packings has led to their use as trickling filter beds
in tall towers, some as high as 20 meters.

The treated water effluent from industrial wastewater trickling filters is very often subsequently
processed in a clarifier-settler to remove the sludge that sloughs off the microbial slime layer
attached to the trickling filter media (see Image 1 above).

Currently, some of the latest trickle filter technology involves aerated biofilters which are
essentially trickle filters consisting of plastic media in vessels using blowers to inject air at the
bottom of the vessels, with either downflow or upflow of the wastewater

PAGE -34
AEROBIC FILM REACTOR:

AEROBIC FILM

REACTOR
LOW RATE TRICKLING BOD is estabilised aerobically by bacteria that grow
FILTER attached to a support medium (commonly stones or
plastic material). The sewage is applied on the surface of
the tank through rotating distributors. The liquid
percolates through the tank and leaves from the bottom,
while the organic matter is retained and then further
removed by the bacteria. The free spaces permit the
circulation of air. In the low rate system there is a low
availability of substrate (BOD) for the bacteria, which
makes them undergo self-digestion and leave the system
stabilised. Sludge that is detached from the support
medium is removed in the secondary sedimentation tank.
The system requires primary sedimentation.

HIGH RATE TRICKLING Similar to the previous system but with the difference that
FILTER a higher BOD load is applied. The bacteria (excess sludge)
need to be stabilise within the sludge treatment. The
effluent from the secondary sedimentation tank is
recirculated to the filter in order to dilute the influent and
to guarantee a homogeneous hydraulic load.

PAGE -35
SUBMERGED AERATED The submerged aerated bio filter is composed by a tank filled
BIO-FILTER with a porous material (usually submerged), through which
sewage and air flow permanently. The air flow is always
upwards, while the liquid flow can be downward or upward.
The bio-filters with granular material undertake, in the same
reactor, the removal of soluble organic compounds and
particulate matter. Besides being a support medium for
biomass growth, the granular material acts also as a filter
medium. Periodic back washings are necessary to eliminate
the excess biomass accumulated, reducing the head loss
through the medium.
ROTATING BIOLOGICAL The biomass grows adhered to a support medium, which is
CONTACTOR (BIODISC) usually composed by a series of discs. The discs, partially
immersed in the liquid ,rotate ,exposing their surface
alternately to liquid and air.

CHAPTER-4
PAGE -36
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The food industries these days designs and setup the waste water treatment plant for the
treatment of the waste generated from it. Secondary waste water techniques is adopted after
treating the waste from the primary treatment for the decomposition of the waste generated.
Since Food waste mainly consists of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and traces of inorganic
compounds. The composition varies in accordance with the type of food waste and its
constituents. FOR EXAMPLE : Food waste consisting of rice and vegetables is abundant in
carbohydrates while food waste consisting of meat and eggs has high quantity of proteins and
lipids.

THE ABOVE DATA SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF WASTE GENERATED FROM

DIFFERENT FOOD

SOURCE: http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2017/2370927.pdf

Since the Indian food industry process all the type of raw material commodities into various
different food product. Thus the waste generated from it are different. They have the in-plant
waste water treatment system for the treatment of the waste generated. The treated water
sometimes used in the industry itself for toilet flushing, parking area , cooling water for
power plants and refineries, dust control during road construction, concrete mixing, site

PAGE -37
clean-up and other construction activities, and sometimes they discharge into water bodies
after getting treated.

THE BELOW ARE THE LISTED CASE STUDIES OF THE SECONDARY WASTE
TREATMENT SYSTEM IN DIFFERENT FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR:

CASE STUDY 1:

PASTEURIZED LIQUID EGG FACTORY:

Egg is processed in the industry for the further manufacturing of the confections

Source: Shutters stock.com

Link of the PASTEURIZED LIQUID EGG FACTORY unit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDaD5y5mC6Q

PAGE -38
The factory products include liquid egg whites, liquid egg yolks, and various blends of the
whites and yolks. The factory uses 20 thousands egg/day. The production process in the factory
depending on breaking the egg by machines and the liquid egg put into covered containers, then
raising its temperature to 60°C for 3.5 minutes and cooling suddenly to 4°C for ultra-
pasteurization and aseptic packaging techniques to extend their shelf life to about six weeks. It
was observed that the wastewater is produced from rinsing process of the containers and the
tubes which used to collect and transfer the product. The washing process uses water, sodium
hydroxides and acids.

Characteristics of the waste generated:

The quantity of wastewater is 15m3 /day. The discharged wastewater from the factory contains
high concentration of COD and BOD; which reached 8000 and 5725mg O2/l, with average
values of 5816 and 3742 mgO2/l respectively. The wastewater was nearly alkaline in nature, the
pH varied between 10.3 and 13.4. The wastewater contains considerable amounts of nitrogen
with an average value of 275 mg N/L while total phosphorus was limited and records only 3.8
mg/L on average. This indicates that most of pollution source is coming from the egg white
which is almost protein with very little amount (0.03%) of lipids

Waste treated using ACTIVATED SLUDGE TREATMENT:

PAGE -39
CASE STUDY :2

SOFT DRINK PLANT :

SOFT DRINK PROCESSING PLANT

SOURCE: Coca cola report

Soft drink wastewater consists of wasted soft drinks and syrup, water from the washing of bottles
and cans, which contains detergents and caustics, and finally lubricants used in the machinery.
Therefore, the significant associated wastewater pollutants will include total suspended solids

PAGE -40
(TSS),Biochemical Oxygen Demand , Chemical Oxygen Demand, nitrates, phosphates , sodium
and potassium.

SOURCE: file:///C:/Users/acer/Downloads/Soft%20Drink%20Waste%20Treatment.pdf

The UASB can be used solely or as part of the soft drink wastewater treatment process. Soft
drink wastewater containing COD of 1.1–30.7 g/L, TSS of 0.8–23.1 g/L, alkalinity of 1.25–1.93
g CaCO3/L, nitrogen of 0–0.05 g N/L and phosphate of 0.01–0.07 g P/L was treated by a 1.8 L
UASB reactor . The pH of wastewater was 4.3–13.0 and temperature was between 20 and 328C.
The highest organic loading reported was 16.5 kg COD m23 day21 . A treatment efficiency of
82% was achieved. In normal operation, COD removal of 75–85% was reported with 0.35 m3 of
biogas produced per kg COD.

The physical treatment included screening and influent equalization; in the chemical treatment,
pH adjustment was performed followed by the traditional coagulation/flocculation process. A
BOD5 and COD removal of 43.2 and 52.4%, respectively, was achieved in the physical and
chemical treatment processes. In the biological treatment, the BOD5 loading rate and the sludge
loading rate were 1.64 kg BOD5/day m3 and 0.42 kg BOD5/kg MLSS day; the BOD5 and COD
removal efficiencies were 64 and 70%, respectively. The biological treatment was operated at a
high-rate mode, which was the main cause for the lower removal efficiencies of BOD5 and
COD.

PAGE -41
CASE STUDY :3

MEAT PROCESSING FACTORY

MEAT PROCESSING PLANT

Source: Food processing technology.com

Characteristic of the waste:

Slaughterhouses wastewater from the slaughtering process is considered detrimental worldwide

due to its complex composition of fats, proteins and fibres. Abattoir wastewater contains high
amounts of organic material and consequently high Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) values due to the presence of blood, tallow and mucosa.

Meat industry wastewater may also have a high content of nitrogen (from blood) and
phosphorus, Total suspended solids (TSS); consequently, Slaughterhouse waste water discharge
may cause de-oxygenation of rivers and contamination of groundwater.

PAGE -42
Rate of COD reduction after treatment with active sludge taken from the secondary decanter was
determined to be 76.4%. Rate of COD reduction after treatment with active sludge taken from
the oxygenation tank, was determined to be 68.1%. Rate of nitrites reduction was in maximum
(up to undetected limits). Phosphates were reduced as much as 29.7% after treatment with active
sludge, which was taken from the secondary decanter. Phosphates were reduced as much as
28.4% after treatment with active sludge taken from the oxygenation tank. Reduction rate for
TSS was 60.8% after treatment with active sludge taken from the secondary decanter. Reduction
rate for TSS after treatment with active sludge taken from the oxygenation tank was 55.2%.
Conductivity and TDS increased 63.7 and 66.5% due to the high concentration of particles in the
active sludge and in the treated sample. Samples after treatment with active sludge taken from
the secondary decanter showed a more intensive process.

CASE STUDY :4

OIL SEED PLANT

PAGE -43
Water, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid diluted in water
are the important chemicals used in food oil processing plants. The used water at the food oil
processing plant becomes wastewater containing the neutralized chemicals, impurities resulting
from the processing steps, and heat. In addition to wastewaters directly from the separate
processes, plant wastewater also results from floor washing and cleaning of equipment.
Wastewater from cleaning operations will contain constituents of the chemicals used for
cleaning. The major constituents in these wastewaters are readily biodegradable oxygen
demanding organics such 4 as fats and oils (commonly referred to as oil and grease in
wastewater terminology) and suspended solids (SS).

Treated data of the list from the oil plant

CASE STUDY:5

DAIRY INDUSTRY:

PAGE -44
Dairy processing effluents mostly include milk or milk products lost in the technological cycles
(spilt milk, spoiled milk, skimmed milk, curd pieces); starter cultures used in manufacturing; by-
products of processing operations (whey, milk and whey permeates); contaminants from the
washing of milk trucks, tanks, cans, equipment, bottles, and floors; reagents applied in CIP
procedures, the cooling of milk and milk products, for sanitary needs, in equipment damage or
operational problems; and various additives introduced in manufacturing

The record of the untreated and treated waste generated from the dairy industry

PAGE -45
 CHAPTER-5

CONCLUSION

The waste generated from the different food processing plant need to treated in order to to obtain
water with quality requirements to reuse in the industrial process. . Since waste generated from it are
rich in various organic compound thus ,the proposed secondary waste water technique works
well. It causes decrease in the level of BOD , COD ,TSS , p H ,TS , total fixed solid and
alkalinity of the waste water generated.

PAGE -46
REFERENCES:

 Zhou Jia , Ma Limin , and Song Houran (2015) . Research advance of the model of
activated sludge process to wastewater treatment, State Key Laboratory of Pollution
Control and Resource Reuse Study, College of Environmental Science and Engineering,
Shanghai, China, 200092, Research Gate.
 Fayza A. Nasr, Hala S. Doma, Saber A. El-Shafai and Enas Abou Taleb (2012).
Management of Industrial Wastewater (Case Study) , Journal of Applied Sciences
Research, 8(6): 3004-3011, 2012 ISSN 1819-544X
 Swati A.Patil1 , Vaishali V. Ahire2 , M.H.Hussain3(2017). DAIRY WASTEWATER-A
CASE STUDY, IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology
eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308
 J. Paul Chen and Swee-Song Seng(2016). SOFT DRINK TREATMENT (RESEARCH
GATE)
 Nikolay Voutchkov (2017) . Introduction to Wastewater Clarifier Design. Research gate
 Biological Wastewater Treatment Series VOLUME ONE Wastewater Characteristics,
Treatment and Disposal by Marcos von Sperling
 I. MALOLLARIa *, L. PINGULIa , R. BUZOb , V. LAJQIc , S. MAKOLLIc , XH.
CANIa(2019). ACTUAL SITUATION OF WASTEWATER FROM FOOD INDUSTRY
AND A CASE STUDY OF THEIR TREATMENT. Journal of Environmental Protection
and Ecology 20, No 1, 432–438 (2019).

 Waste water treatment project report (SCRIBD)

 Kunwar Paritosh, Sandeep K. Kushwaha, Monika Yadav, Nidhi Pareek, Aakash
Chawade, and Vivekanand Vivekanand (2017) . Food Waste to Energy: An Overview of
Sustainable Approaches for Food Waste Management and Nutrient Recycling . Hindawi
BioMed Research International Volume 2017, Article ID 2370927, 19 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2370927
 http://www.fao.org/3/t0551e/t0551e05.htm#3.2.3%20secondary%20treatment
 https://www.appropedia.org/Secondary_wastewater_treatment

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 https://theconstructor.org/water-resources/grit-chamber-type-working-advantages/36098/
 https://www.appropedia.org/Secondary_wastewater_treatment

PAGE -48