Republic of the Philippines
Tarlac State University
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Romulo Blvd., San Vicente, Tarlac City,
Tarlac
Tel. No. (045) 982-6062; fax No. 9045) 982-0110
A365
Environmental Science and Engineering
Assignment
Wastewater Treatment
Biological Methods
BSEE 3A - GROUP 2
Group 2 Members:
Duncil, Bea Allysa
Erazo, John Kenson
Fabelico, Vince Juancho
Farres, Angelo
Fernandez, Arjay
Figueroa, John Kenneth
Galo, James Patrick
Gagar, Axel
Gloria, John Philorex
Gonzales, Cedrick
● AERATION TANK
An aeration tank is a large container used to introduce oxygen into the water during wastewater
treatment. This introduction of oxygen is called aeration. In aeration, air is circulated through
water in order for it to dissolve and make direct contact with its molecules and contaminants
such as dissolved gases, volatile organic compounds, and dissolved metals.
With the introduction of air in the water, dissolved metals can make direct contact with the
oxygen and go through the process of oxidation, wherein these metals can break down and be
removed through the loss of an electron. Moreover, decomposition also occurs within the
wastewater when oxygen is introduced as it encourages the growth of beneficial aerobic bacteria
in the water, which further speeds up the breakdown of organic materials that contaminate the
water.
Contaminant Percentage Description
1. Iron to Ferric Hydroxide 0.3-10 ppm Iron is oxidized into the form of ferric
hydroxide as oxygen is introduced and
is then removed via further steps.
2. Manganese to Manganese 0.05-2 ppm Manganese also gets oxidized into the
Dioxide form of manganese dioxide when in
contact with oxygen. The by-product
is removed via precipitation.
3. Zinc 0.1-5 ppm Absorbed in the sludge formed in
aeration and is removed through
sedimentation.
4. Lead 0.005 - 0.5 Oxidized through the form of lead
ppm hydroxide and is removed through
either precipitation or onto sludge.
5. Nickel 0.01 - 2 ppm Removed through the further process
of sedimentation and absorbed into
biomass.
6. Pathogenic Bacteria 90-99% Removed when healthy biological
removed competition is introduced via aeration.
7. Viruses 50-80% Further treatment is usually needed,
removed but is partly removed through
adsorption in the formed sludge.
8. Algae 60-90% Excess oxygen introduced through
removed aeration and microbial activity reduces
the growth of algae.
9. Fungi 60-90% Removed via biodegradation while
removed some parts may still persist in sludge
form.
10.Protozoa & Helminths 80-99% Removed through the further process
removed of sedimentation and bested by
biological competition.
11.Ammonia 10 - 50 ppm Converted to nitrate.
12.Phosphates 2 - 10 ppm Is partially assimilated by microbes
but is subject to further treatment.
13.Sulfates 20 - 500 ppm Oxidized to non-toxic forms in the
water.
14.Calcium 10 - 100 ppm Removed in precipitation.
15.Magnesium 5 - 50 ppm When in alkaline, it can precipitate as
a hydroxide.
16.Organic Matter 150 - 500 ppm Growth of microorganisms break
down organic pollutants after rapid
growth due to oxidation.
● AERATION LAGOON
An aeration lagoon, also called an aeration pond, is a large, open-water type of pond that is used
to treat wastewater via the method of aeration. The main difference between an aeration lagoon
and an aeration tank is that a tank is more contained and smaller, but has a higher level of
mixing.
An aerated lagoon typically holds a larger volume of wastewater under the process of treatment.
In comparison to a tank, it also has a relatively lower intensity aeration. With these factors in
mind, an aerated lagoon is also lower in costs and maintenance, making it a relatively effective
method for treating wastewater in larger batches for a lower price. However, treatment time and
process is typically longer.
Contaminant Percentage Description
1. Biochemical Oxygen 100 - 500 Organic matter broken down by
Demand (BOD) ppm microorganisms through the
introduction of oxygen.
2. Chemical Oxygen Demand 200 - 1000 Organic pollutants are degraded by
(COD) ppm aerobic bacteria introduced through
oxidation.
3. Total Suspended Solids 100 - 400 Settles as sludge at the bottom of the
(TSS) ppm lagoon.
4. Ammonia (NH₃) 10 - 50 ppm Converted to nitrate.
5. Nitrate (NO₃⁻) 5 - 30 ppm Released as nitrogen gas as
denitrification occurs.
6. Phosphates (PO₄³⁻) 2 - 10 ppm Settles as sludge in the bottom while
some are partially absorbed by bacteria.
7. Pathogenic Bacteria, 40-99% Competition with other
Viruses, & Protozoa removed microorganisms and UV exposure
allow these to either adsorb into solids
or settle as sludge in the bottom of the
lagoon.
8. Heavy Metals 0.1 - 5 ppm Can either precipitate and settle or
adsorb to sludge.
9. Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) 60-90% Oxidizes into sulfate to reduce odor.
removed
10.Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) 50-80% Broken down by aerobic bacteria
removed which then floats on the surface.
● SEPTIC TANK
Septic tanks utilize physical and biological methods when processing the wastewater. Under the
physical methods, pollutants that are either less dense or more dense than water will separate out
from the waste water forming a top layer of "scum" and a bottom layer known as "sludge".
Under the biological, due to the lack of oxygen in-flow into the tank, only the anaerobic bacteria
could aid in the water treatment process.
PROCESS:
1. Waste water is taken from a source and, through a system of pipes, is brought into the
septic tank.
2. The waste water then naturally settles into a top layer of scum and a bottom layer of
sludge.
3. The anaerobic organisms (microorganisms that do not need oxygen) in your septic tank
feed on organic wastewater pollutants, converting them to inert matter.
4. The waste water then either flows straight into soil or goes through more processing
via the other waste water treatment methods.
● OXIDATION DISC/PONDS
OXIDATION POND OXIDATION DISKS
Oxidation ponds are another step in wastewater treatment wherein shallow bodies of wastewater
are treated through the natural process of UV sunlight exposure, bacteria, and algae. On the other
hand, oxidation disks are large plastic disks mounted on a horizontal shaft partially submerged in
the water that is covered in microorganisms in order to break down organic matter. Though they
have differing processes, they share the goal of treating wastewater and removing contaminants.
Contaminant Percentage Description
1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand 100 - 500 ppm Reduces organic pollution,
(BOD) preventing waterway oxygen
depletion.
2. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 100 - 400 ppm Removes particles that cause
turbidity and sludge buildup.
3. Ammonia (NH₃) 10 - 50 ppm Prevents aquatic toxicity and
eutrophication.
4. Phosphates (PO₄³⁻) 2 - 10 ppm Reduces disease risk in treated
water.
5. Pathogenic Bacteria 90-99% Limits algal blooms and water
removed pollution.
● LANDFILL
The landfill is where most of the wastes that have been gathered from the wastewater end up.
Any biodegradable material that finds its way into the landfill gets eaten up by the anaerobic
bacteria which will produce greenhouse gases such as methane and CO2. Landfills must be
maintained regularly else any harmful substances would leak and contaminate the surrounding
earth.
PROCESS:
1. Waste is gathered from the water treatment facility (or more generally, any waste
management facility) and is sent to the landfill site.
2. The landfill coordinators will then handle the waste from here. In order for the waste to
degrade much better, it is thus sandwiched in layers between soil and waste.
3. The waste is then covered up, minimizing smell and increasing visible attractiveness,
4. Maintenance procedures will now take effect in order to keep the landfill in check.
● COMPOSTING
The breakdown of food waste and yard waste by microorganisms produces stable humus material
under controlled conditions through biological actions. Aerobic bacteria together with fungi
function as the basis for this process.
PROCESS:
1. Food waste along with yard waste and biosolids will be collected and loaded into
composting equipment including piles and bins.
2. Food waste along with yard waste and biosolids will be collected and loaded into
composting equipment including piles and bins.
3. The waste decomposition creates humus that serves as an abundant organic material.
4. Gardens together with agricultural fields can obtain their natural fertilizer from this
finished compost product
● TRICKLING FILTER
Wastewater passes through a bed containing materials of rocks or plastics during a trickling
process. Microorganisms in biofilm develop along the media surface while wastewater seeps
through which triggers the breakdown of organic matter by the biofilm microorganisms. The
media gives physical backing to the biofilm as it functions through biological breakdown.
PROCESS:
1. The wastewater distribution will occur across an arrangement of media elements
including rocks or plastic rings used to stimulate microbial growth.
2. The wastewater distribution facilities will rest upon plastic rings or rocks to activate
microbial growth.
3. The wastewater receives distribution across elements like rocks or plastic rings with the
purpose of spurring microbial multiplication.
4. The removal process of extra biomass collection on media surfaces is established.
