Activated Sludge Waste Water Treatment Calculations - U.S.

units

1. Input of General Parameter Values:

Instructions: Enter values in blue boxes. Spreadsheet calculates values in yellow boxes

Inputs

Design ww Flow Rate, Qo = 4.5 MGD Prim. Effl. TSS, Xo = 180 mg/L
Waste/recycle activated
Prim. Effl. BOD, So = 175 mg/L sludge SS conc., Xw = 6,800 mg/L

Aeration tank MLSS, X = 2100 mg/L Secondary Effl. TSS, Xe = 20 mg/L

% volatile MLSS, %Vol = 75%

Activated Sludge Waste Water Treatment Calculations - U.S. units

2. Aeration Tank Sizing Calculations

Instructions: Enter values in blue boxes. Spreadsheet calculates values in yellow boxes

A. Aeration Tank Sizing based on volumetric loading

Inputs Calculations (based on Volumetric Loading)

Design Vol. Loading, VL = 30 Aeration tank volume, V = 218,925

(lb BOD/day/1000 ft3)

Aeration tank vol. VMG = 1.638

Values Transferred from Worksheet 2:

Design ww Flow Rate, Qo = 4.5 MGD Check on other design parameters:

Prim. Effl. BOD, So = 175 mg/L Aeration tank HRT = 8.73

Aeration tank MLSS, X = 2100 mg/L Aeration tank F:M = 0.305

% volatile MLSS, %Vol = 75% (lb BOD/day/lb MLVSS)

Equations used for Calculations: A note on unit conversions:

V = [ (8.34*So*Qo)/VL ](1000) (8.34)*(mg/L) = lb/MG

VMG = V*7.48/1,000,000 Thus, lb/day of BOD or TSS, for known

conc in mg/L and flow rate in MGD
HRT = 24*VMG/Qo can be calculated from:

F:M = (8.34*So*Qo)/(8.34*%Vol*X*VMG) (8.34)*(mg/L)*(MGD) = lb/day

B. Aeration Tank Sizing based on Hydraulic Retention Time

Input Check on other design parameters:

Aeration tank HRT = 7 hr Vol. Loading, VL = 37.4

Calculations (based on Hydr. Retention Time) Aeration tank F:M = 0.381

Aeration tank vol. VMG = 1.313 MG

Aeration tank volume, V = 175,468 ft3

C. Aeration Tank Sizing based on F:M ratio

Inputs Check on other design parameters:

Design Aer. tank F:M = 0.35 Vol. Loading, VL = 34.4

(lb BOD/day/lb MLVSS) (lb BOD/day/1000 ft )
3

Calculations (based on F:M ratio) Aeration tank HRT = 7.62

Aeration tank vol. VMG = 1.429 MG

Aeration tank volume, V = 190,985 ft3

U.S. units

lumetric Loading)

ft3

MG

hr

Adapted from: Metcalf & Eddy, Inc, (Revised by Tchobanoglous, G, Burton, F.L., Stensel, H.D.,
S, for known Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, 4th Ed., New York, NY, 2003.
 Ref.: Bengtson, Harlan H.,

Ref.: Bengtson, Harlan H.,

lb BOD/day/1000 ft3

lb BOD/day/lb MLVSS

hr
Activated Sludge Waste Water Treatment Calculations - U.S. units

3. Aeration Tank Operational Calculations

Instructions: Enter values in blue boxes. Spreadsheet calculates values in yellow boxes

Values Transferred from Worksheet 2: Inputs

Design ww Flow Rate, Qo = 4.5 MGD Aeration tank volume, V = 170,275

Prim. Effl. BOD, So = 175 mg/L Sludge ret. time, SRT = 12

Aeration tank MLSS, X = 2100 mg/L Calculations

% volatile MLSS, %Vol = 75% Aeration tank vol. VMG = 1.274

Waste/recycle activated
sludge SS conc., Xw = 6,800 mg/L Aeration tank F:M = 0.393
(lb BOD/day/lb MLVSS)

Prim. Effl. TSS, Xo = 180 mg/L Waste Act. Sludge Rate, Qw = 0.01954

Recycle Activated
Secondary Effl. TSS, Xe = 20 mg/L Sludge Flow Rate, Qr = 1.838

Equations used for Calculations: A note on unit conversions:

Qr = Qo(X - Xo)/(Xw - X) (8.34)*(mg/L) = lb/MG

VMG = V*7.48/1,000,000 Thus, lb/day of BOD or TSS, for known

conc in mg/L and flow rate in MGD
Qw = (1/Xw)[(VMG*X/SRT) - QeXe] can be calculated from:

F:M = (8.34*So*Qo)/(8.34*%Vol*X*VMG) (8.34)*(mg/L)*(MGD) = lb/day

 ft3

days

MG

MGD

MGD

Adapted from: Metcalf & Eddy, Inc, (Revised by Tchobanoglous, G, Burton, F.L., Stensel, H.D.,
Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, 4th Ed., New York, NY, 2003.
Activated Sludge Waste Water Treatment Calculations - U.S. units
4. Oxygen Requirement/Blower Sizing Calculations

Instructions: Enter values in blue boxes. Spreadsheet calculates values in yellow boxes

Values Transferred from Previous Worksheets:

Design ww Flow Rate, Qo = 4.5 MGD Prim. Effl. BOD, So =

Additional User Inputs:

Influent TKN, TKNo = 35 mg/L Target Effl NH4-N conc, Ne =

(needed only if nitrification is to be achieved) (needed only if nitrification is to be achieved)

Target Effluent BOD, Se = 20 mg/L

A. Simplified Estimates Using "Rules of Thumb" - See Notes at Right

1. Inputs: (Values of "Rule of Thumb" Constants to be used in Calculations - See notes at right)

O2 needed per lb BOD = 1.20 lb O2/lb BOD Depth of Diffusers =

O2 needed per lb NH3-N = 4.57 lb O2/lb NH3-N Standard Temperature =
SOTE as Function of Depth = 2.00% % per ft depth Standard Pressure =
AOTE/SOTE = 0.33 Atmospheric Pressure =
Press. Drop across Diffuser = 12.0 in W.C. Air Density at STP =
(from mfr/vendor) O2 Content in Air =

2. Calculations for BOD Removal Only:

BOD Daily Loading = 242.4 lb/hr AOTE =

Oxygen Requirement = 290.9 lb/hr Air Requirement =
SOTE = 24.0% Blower Outlet Pressure =

3. Calculations for BOD Removal and Nitrification:

NH3-N Daily Loading = 53.9 lb/hr AOTE =

Oxygen Requirement = 537.4 lb/hr Air Requirement =
SOTE = 24.0% Blower Outlet Pressure =
B. More Detailed Estimates Using Biol. Kinetics and Diffuser Parameters

1. Inputs (See tables at right for typical values of kinetic coefficients and oxygen transfer parameters.)

Std O2 Transf. Effic., SOTE = 20.0% Ratio of BOD5/BODu, f =

(from diffuser mfr or vendor)
D.O. conc to be maintained for WW
Design ww Temp., Tww = 50 o
F trtmt operation, CL =

Ratio of oxygen transfer rate in wastewater

Blower efficiency, h = 70% to that in clean water, a =

Ratio of D.O. saturation in wastewater to that

Rel. Humidity of Air, RHa = 50% in clean water at same T & P, B =

D.O. saturation conc. For clean water

Design air Temperature, Ta = 50 o
F at ww temp. & 1 atm, Cs =

Diffuser fouling factor, F = 0.8 Press. drop at blower inlet, DPin =

(due to filter, silencer, etc.)

Synthesis Yield Coeff, Y = 0.60 lb VSS/lb BOD5 Peaking Factor, Fp =

Endog. Decay Coeff, kd20 = 0.060 lb VSS/d/lbVSS Sludge ret. time, SRT =
(at 20 C)
o

Standard Rel. Humidity, RHs =

2. Calculations for BOD Removal Only:

Endog. Decay Coeff, kdT = 0.0473 lbVSS/d/lb VSS Design Air Density, rair =
(at ww temperature)

Observed Yield, Yobs = 0.383 lb VSS/lbBOD5 Required O2 flow rate =

(with recycle)
Press. at mid depth, PD = 17.3 psi Required air flow rate =

Act. O2 Transf. Effic., AOTE = 7.8% Design Act. Air Flow Rate, ACFM =
(with peaking factor)

Vapor Press at Ta, PVa = 0.177 psi Des. Std. Air Flow Rate, SCFM =

Vapor Press at Ts, PVs = 0.338 psi Blower outlet press, PB2 =
3. Calculations for BOD Removal and Nitrification:

Design Actual
Required O2 flow rate = 477 lb/hr Air Flow Rate, ACFM =
(with peaking factor)

Required air flow rate = 5689 cfm Des. Std. Air Flow Rate, SCFM =

Blower outlet press, PB2 =

 175 mg/L

Rules of Thumb for Estimating Oxygen/Air Requirements for Coarse or Fine Bubb
0.50 mg/L
cation is to be achieved)

1. The typical AOR/SOR (or AOTE/SOTE) is 0.50 for a coarse bubble aertion system.

2. The typical AOR/SOR (or AOTE/SOTE) is 0.33 for a fine bubble aertion system.

12.0 ft 3. The typical SOTE is 0.75% per foot of diffuser submergence for a coarse bubble system
68 o
F
14.7 psi 4. The typical SOTE is 2.0% per foot of diffuser submergence for a fine bubble system
14.7 psi
0.075 lbm/SCF 5. 1 SCF of air weighs 0.075 lb/ft3 and contains 23% oxygen by weight, thus:
0.017 lbm/SCF

6. 1 SCF of air contains 0.0173 lbm of oxygen.

7. For biological treatment with SRT from 5 to 10 days, lb oxygen required /lb BOD removed
7.9% is typically in the range from 0.92 - 1.1 lb O2/lb BOD. Higher SRT results in a higher value
3538.0 SCFM of lb O2 required/lb BOD removed.
20.3 psia

8. The oxidation of 1 lb of ammonia nitrogen typically requires 4.1 to 4.6 lb of oxygen.

7.9% Activated Sludge Kinetic Coefficients for heterotrophic bacteria at 20oC (for BO
6537.0 SCFM
20.3 psia Coefficient Unit Range Typical Value
 Y lb VSS/day/lb bCOD 0.30 - 0.50 0.40
kd lb VSS/day/lb VSS 0.06 - 0.20 0.12

meters.) fd dimensionless 0.08 - 0.20 0.15

q values for temperature corrections
0.67 for kd dimensionless 1.03 - 1.08 1.04

ined for WW
2.0 mg/L Parameters used to calculate AOTE from SOTE
in wastewater Parameter Range of Values Typical Value Units
0.5 a (fine bubble) 0.4 - 0.7 0.5 - 0.6 dimensionless

tewater to that a (coarse bubble) 0.6 - 0.95 0.7 - 0.8 dimensionless

1.0 B 0.95 - 0.99 dimensionless

P 0.9 - 1 dimensionless
11.28 mg/L CL 2 mg/L
F 0.65 - 0.9 dimensionless
0.3 psi

Adapted from: Metcalf & Eddy, Inc, (Revised by Tchobanoglous, G, Burton, F.L., Stensel, H.D
1.2 Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, 4th Ed., New York, NY, 2003.

12 days and

36% Equations used for these Calculations

Temperature correction for kd: kd at temp. T = (kd at 20oC)1.024(T - 20) (T

0.0779 lb/ft3 Observed Yield (with recycle): Yobs = Y/(1 + kd*SRT)

230 lb/hr Required O2 Flow Rate (BOD removal only): lb/day O2 = Qo*(So - Se)*8.34[(1/f) - 1.4

2746 cfm Required O2 Flow Rate (BOD removal & Nitrification):

lb/day O2 = 8.34Qo*{(So - Se)[1/f - 1.42 Yobs] + 4.57(TKNo - N
3295 cfm NOTE: With nitrification, Se is typically taken to be zero because o

3370 cfm Actual O2 transfer effic. = AOTE = SOTE*a*F*[(B*(PD/Pstd)*Cs -CL)/Css]1.024(T-20)

(Css = saturation D.O. in water at 20oC & 1 atm = 9.17 mg/L)
20.3 psi
 See descriptions of the parameters in the User Entry section above left

Des. Actual Air Flow Rate: ACFM = (lb/hr O2/AOTE)*MWair/[O2 fract in air)(MW

Des. Std Air Flow Rate: SCFM = ACFM(Ts/Ta)(Pa/Pb){[Pb - (RHa*PVa)]/[Ps - (RHs*PV

6827 cfm

( T is abs temp., P is abs press., RH is relative humidity, PV is vapor press., P b is barometric pr

6982 cfm actual conditions and subscript s is for standard conditions.)

20.3 psia Blower outlet pressure: PB2 = Patm + DPdiff + gH2O*ddiff

Calculation of vapor pressure at Ta and Ts (the Antoine Equation):

log VP = 8.07131 - [1730.63/(233.426 + T) with T in oC and VP in mm Hg

Reference for Antoine Eqn: Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, 8th Ed. - Table 13.4

Reference: Metcalf & Eddy, Inc, (Revised by Tchobanoglous, G, Burton, F.L., Stensel, H.D.,
Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Reuse, 4th Ed., New York, NY, 2003.
Coarse or Fine Bubble Diffusers

aertion system.

ion system.

arse bubble system

bubble system

ed /lb BOD removed

sults in a higher value

6 lb of oxygen.

cteria at 20oC (for BOD removal)

Typical Value
 0.40
0.12

0.15

1.04

TE
Units
dimensionless

dimensionless
dimensionless

dimensionless
mg/L
dimensionless

rton, F.L., Stensel, H.D.,

Y, 2003.

.024(T - 20) ( T is in oC )

o - Se)*8.34[(1/f) - 1.42 Yobs]

Yobs] + 4.57(TKNo - Ne)}

to be zero because of the long SRT used.

s -CL)/Css]1.024(T-20)
9.17 mg/L)
 y section above left.

2 fract in air)(MWO2)(rair)(60 min/hr)]

Ha*PVa)]/[Ps - (RHs*PVs)]}

ess., P b is barometric press., subscript a is for

in mm Hg

ok, 8th Ed. - Table 13.4

n, F.L., Stensel, H.D.,

Y, 2003.