Activated Sludge Aeration Tank Calculations - U.S.

Customary U

Workbook Contents

Click on tabs at the bottom of the screen to access the following:

Tab 1. Contents (current tab)

Tab 2. Input Wastewater Information

(Parameter values entered here will be used in the other worksheets)

Tab 3. Aeration Tank Sizing Calculations

(tank volume based on volumetric loading, HRT, or F:M ratio)

Tab 4. Aeration Tank Operations Calculations

(waste activated sludge and recycle activated sludge rates)

Tab 5. Oxygen Requirement/Blower sizing Calculations

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ns - U.S. Customary Units

NOTE: The cells containing formulas are locked (protected) to avoid the
possibility of inadvertently typing over any of the formulas. You may,
however, adjust the number of decmal places for any of the cells.

d in the other worksheets)

HRT, or F:M ratio)

ed sludge rates)

ts reserved.
d (protected) to avoid the
he formulas. You may,
or any of the cells.
 Activated Sludge Waste Water Treatment Calculations - U.S. units
Input of Values for Wastewater Parameters

Enter values in yellow cells only.

Note that these parameter values will be used in the other worksheets.

Input Information
INPUT INFORMATION

Design Wastewater Flow Rate, Qo = 1.5 MGD

Primary Effluent BOD5, So = 160 mg/L

Aeration Tank MLSS, X = 2100 mg/L

% volatile MLSS, % Vol = 70%

Waste/recycle activated
Sludge SS conc., Xw = 6800 mg/L

Secondary Effluent TSS, Xe = 20 mg/L

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ations - U.S. units
meters

r worksheets.

s reserved.
 Activated Sludge Waste Water Treatment Calculations - U.S. units
Aeration Tank Sizing Calculations

Parameter Values Transferred from Worksheet 2:

INPUT INFO

Design Wastewater Flow Rate, Qo = 1.5 MGD

Primary Effluent BOD5, So = 160 mg/L

Aeration Tank MLSS, X = 2100 mg/L

% volatile MLSS, % Vol = 70%

Enter values in ye

1. Sizing Based on Volumetric Loading Design Vol. Loading, VL = 35.0

Design Aeration Tank Volume Values of other Design Parameters

Aeration Tank Volume, V = 57,189 ft3 Aer Tank Hydr. Retention Time: 6.84

Aer. Tank Volume, VMG = 0.428 MG Aer Tank F:M Ratio: 0.382
CALCULATIONS/ RESULTS

2. Sizing Based on Hydr. Retention Time Design Aeration Tank HRT = 7.0

Design Aeration Tank Volume Values of other Design Parameters

Aeration Tank Volume, V = 58,489 ft3 Aer Tank Volumetric Loading: te

Aer. Tank Volume, VMG = 0.438 MG Aer Tank F:M Ratio: 0.373

3. Sizing Based on F:M Ratio Design F:M Ratio, F:M = 0.35

C Design Aeration Tank Volume Values of other Design Parameters

Aeration Tank Volume, V = 62,363 ft3 Aer Tank Volumetric Loading: 32.1

Aer. Tank Volume, VMG = 0.466 MG Aer Tank Hydr. Retention Time: 7.46

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Volumetric Loading
Hydraulic Loading
F:M Ratio
U.S. units References and Equations

A flow diagram of the activated sludge process is shown below along with the equatio
worksheet. For more details and background information on the activated sludge pro
design and operation calculations, see the following references:

Water and Wastewater Engineering Design Principles and Practice, Sec 23.7, Suspended Gro

Standard Handbook of Environmental Engineering, 2nd Ed, Sec 6.5.1. Activated Sludge

Handbook of Environmental Engineering Calculations, 2nd Ed, Sec 1.7.21. Activated Sludge P

Design of Water Resource Recovery Facilities, 6th Ed., Sec. 12.1.3. Activated Sludge Environ

The symbols used in the flow d

the equations below are as foll
er values in yellow cells only. Q is volumetric flow rate in MG

S is BOD5 concentration in mg
lb BOD5/day/1000 ft3 X is total suspended solids con

n Parameters The subscript o refers to the p

hr
lb BOD5/day/lb MLVSS NOTE: Based on an assumption of no biological
degradation in the secondary clarifier, the BOD 5 in the
waste activated sludge and recycle activated sludge
The subscript e refers to the se
The subscript w refers to the w
The subscript r refers to the re
V is the volume of the aeration
VMG is the volume of the aerati

are taken to be equal to that in the effluent stream. X is the mixed liquor suspende
hr in the aeration tank in mg/L
Equations Used for These Calculations:
n Parameters Aeration tank volume in millions of gallons: VMG = V*7.48/1,000,000

lb BOD5/day/1000 ft3 Volumetric Loading: VL = [(8.34*So*Qo)/V][1000 (ft3/1000 ft3)]

lb BOD5/day/lb MLVSS hydraulic Loading: HRT = 24*VMG/Qo

F:M Ratio: F:M = (8.34*So*Qo)/(8.34*%Vol*X*VMG)

lb BOD5/day/lb MLVSS NOTE: The conversion factors in these equations are: 7.48 gal/ft3; 8.34 (lb/mill. ga
n Parameters

lb BOD5/day/1000 ft3

hr

The sources for the information in the above table are 1) Hydraulic Retention Time values:
Standard Handbook of Environmental Engineering, 2nd Ed, Table 6-43 and Table 6-44

and 2) Volumetric Loading and F:M Ratio values:

Operation of Water Resource Recovery Facilities, MOP No. 11, 7th Ed., Table 20.1
g with the equations used in this
ivated sludge process and its

3.7, Suspended Growth Design Practice

vated Sludge

Activated Sludge Process

ted Sludge Environment

s used in the flow diagram at the left and

ns below are as follows:
etric flow rate in MGD

concentration in mg/L

spended solids concentration in mg/L

pt o refers to the primary effluent stream.

pt e refers to the secondary effluent stream.
pt w refers to the waste act. sludge stream.
pt r refers to the recycle act. Sludge stream.

ume of the aeration tank in ft 3.

olume of the aeration tank in millions of gal.

ed liquor suspended solids concentration

eration tank in mg/L.

,000,000

; 8.34 (lb/mill. gal)/(mg/L); 24 hr/day

ntion Time values:
d Table 6-44

ble 20.1
 Activated Sludge Waste Water Treatment Calculations - U.S. un
Aeration Tank Operation Calculations

Enter values in yellow cells only.

Input Information

Aeration Tank Volume, V = 60,000

INPUT INFORMATION

Target Sludge Retention Time, SRT = 12

Parameter Values Transferred from Worksheet 2:

Design Wastewater Flow Rate, Qo = 1.5

Primary Effluent BOD, So = 160

Aeration Tank MLSS, X = 2100

% volatile MLSS, % Vol = 70%

Secondary Effluent TSS, Xe = 20

Waste/Recycle Act. Sludge Conc., Xw = 6800

Activated Sludge Operational Parameters

RESULTS

Recycle Act. Sludge Rate, Qr = 0.670 MGD

Waste Act. Sludge Rate, Qw = 0.00714 MGD

Aer. Tank F:M Ratio, F:M = 0.364 lb BOD/day/lb MLVSS

RES
NOTE: In Calculating Qw, the effluent flow rate, Qe is taken to be equal to the influent flow
rate, Qo, based on the assumption that liquid streams separated from the waste

activated sludge are sent back into the wastewater stream.

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er Treatment Calculations - U.S. units Refe

Operation Calculations
A flow diagram of the activated sludge process
worksheet. For more details and background
design and operation calculations, see the follo

Water and Wastewater Engineering Design Princip

ft3 Standard Handbook of Environmental Engineering

days Handbook of Environmental Engineering Calculatio

rom Worksheet 2: Operation of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plan

MGD

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L
NOTE: Based on an assumption of no biological

degradation in the secondary clarifier, the soluble

BOD5 in the waste and recycle activated sludge

is taken to be equal to that in the effluent stream.

Recycle Activated Sludge Rate

OD/day/lb MLVSS
Waste Activated Sludge Rate:
n to be equal to the influent flow F:M Ratio: F:M = (So*Qo)/(%V
ms separated from the waste

LLC. All rights reserved.

The source for the information in the above table

Standard Handbook of Environmental Engineering
and
Operation of Water Resource Recovery Facilities, M
 References and Equations

of the activated sludge process is shown below along with the equations used in this
more details and background information on the activated sludge process and its
ration calculations, see the following references:

water Engineering Design Principles and Practice, Sec 23.7 Suspended Growth Design Practice

ook of Environmental Engineering, 2nd Ed, Sec 6.5.1 Activated Sludge

ironmental Engineering Calculations, 2nd Ed, Sec 1.7.21 Activated Sludge Process

nicipal Wastewater Treatment Plants, MOP No. 11, 6th Ed., Sec. 20.1 Activated Sludge

The symbols used in the flow diagram at the left and

the equations below are as follows:
Q is volumetric flow rate in MGD
S is BOD5 concentration in mg/L

X is total suspended solids concentration in mg/L

The subscript o refers to the primary effluent stream.

The subscript e refers to the secondary effluent stream.
The subscript w refers to the waste act. sludge stream.
The subscript r refers to the recycle act. Sludge stream.

n an assumption of no biological V is the volume of the aeration tank in ft 3.

e secondary clarifier, the soluble VMG is the volume of the aeration tank in millions of gal.
te and recycle activated sludge (VMG = V*7.48/1,000,000)

ual to that in the effluent stream. X is the mixed liquor suspended solids concentration
in the aeration tank in mg/L.

Equations Used for These Calculations

Recycle Activated Sludge Rate: Qr = QoX /(Xw - X)

Waste Activated Sludge Rate: Qw = (VMG*X/SRT - Qe*Xe)/Xw

F:M Ratio: F:M = (So*Qo)/(%Vol*X*VMG)

the information in the above table is:

ook of Environmental Engineering, 2nd Ed, Table 6-43 and Table 6-44

er Resource Recovery Facilities, MOP No. 11, 7th Ed., Table 20.1
 Activated Sludge Waste Water Treatment Calculations - U
Oxygen Requirements/Blower Sizing Calculations

NOTE: To aid in setting the design WW flow rate for these calculations, it is recommended t
and average ww flow rates be identified and that the oxygen requirement rates be calculated

User Input Information - See Tables below right for typical values of k d and Y and of oxy

Design WW Flow Rate, Qo = 1.5 MGD

(Value transferred from Worksheet 2)

Primary Effluent BOD, So = 160 mg/L

(Value transferred from Worksheet 2)

Permitted Sec Effl BOD, BODe = 20 mg/L

Permitted Sec Effl TSS, TSSe = 20 mg/L

% volatile solids in Effl TSS , %Vol = 80%

INPUT INFORMATION

Sludge Retention Time, SRT = 12.0 days

Synthesis Yield Coefficient, Y = 0.6 lb VSS/lb BOD5

Endog. Decay Coeff (at 20oC), kd20 = 0.06 lb VSS/d/lb VSS

Std. O2 transfer Efficiency, SOTE = 20.0%

(from diffuser mfr or vendor)

Press. drop across diffuser, DPdiff = 12.0 in H2O

(from diffuser mfr or vendor)

Depth of Diffuser, ddiff = 12 ft

(from installation or plans)

Design ambient air Temperature, Ta = 50 o

F
 Standard Pressure, Temperature, and Relative Humidity for SCFM Calculation - Ch

Standard Pressure, Ps = 14.7 psia

Standard Temperature, Ts = 68 o
F

Constants and Conversion Factors used in the Calculations

Temp. coeff for kd, q, =

CONSTANTS/CONV. FACTORS

1.024

Ideal Gas Law Constant, R = 345.23

(psia-ft3/slugmole-oR)
Specific Weight of water, g H2O = 62.4 lb/ft3

Conversion Factor: 8.34 (lb/MG)/(mg/L)

Conversion Factor: 550 (ft-lb/sec)/Hp

Conversion Factor: 60 min/hr or sec/min Conversion Factor:

cbCOD (BODult) equivalent of VSS: 1.42 lb COD/lb VSS

O2 equivalent of NH3-N: 4.57 lb O2/lb NH3-N

A. Oxygen Requirement/Blower Specifications (BOD Removal Only)

Air Requirement/Blower Design Calculations/Results

Effluent Soluble BOD, Se = 4.778 mg/L

ESULTS
RESULTS Endog. Decay Coeff, kdT = 0.047 lb VSS/d/lb VSS
(at ww temperature)

Observed Yield (with recycle), Yobs = 0.383 lb VSS/lb BOD5

Required O2 flow rate = 76.80 lb/hr

Act. O2 transfer Efficiency, AOTE* = 13.8%

B. Oxygen Requirement/Blower Specifications (BOD Removal and Nitrification)

Air Requirement/Blower Design Calculations/Results

RESULTS

O2 required per day = 159 lb/hr

Act. O2 transfer Efficiency, AOTE* = 13.8%

* NOTE: The calculation of actual oxygen transfer efficiency (AOTE) considers the mean bubble p
submergence depth. Oxygen depletion due to transfer from rising bubbles is not considered, thus t
overstated. Hence the the air delivery requirement is then slightly underestimated.

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Water Treatment Calculations - U.S. units
ments/Blower Sizing Calculations
A flow diagram of the activated
worksheet. For more details a
hese calculations, it is recommended that the maximum, minimum design and operation calculati
xygen requirement rates be calculated for each.
Water and Wastewater Engineeri
Enter values in yellow cells only

ht for typical values of k d and Y and of oxygen transfer parameters

Standard Handbook of Environm

Influent TKN, TKNo = 35 mg/L Handbook of Environmental Engi

Design of Water Resource Recov
Effluent NH4-N Concentration, Ne = 0.50 mg/L

Design Barometric Press., Patm = 14.5 psi

(ambient pressure at site)

Design wastewater Temp., Tww = 50 F

o

Ratio of BOD5/BODu, f = 0.67

Blower efficiency, h = 70%

Ratio of oxygen transfer rate in wastewater

to that in clean water, a = 0.9
Ratio of D.O. saturation in wastewater to that
in clean water at same T & P, B = 1.0
D.O saturation conc. for clean water at
wastewater temp. & 1 atm, Cs = 11.28
NOTE: Based on an assumption
degradation in the secondary cla
mg/L waste activated sludge and recy

D.O conc. to be maintained are taken to be equal to that in th

for WW trtmt operation, CL = 2.0 mg/L

Diffuser fouling factor, F = 0.8

Pressure drop at blower inlet, DPin = 0.30 psi Temperature correction for kd
(due to filter, silencer, etc.)
Note that T must be in oC
elative Humidity for SCFM Calculation - Changeable by User Observed Yield (with recycle)

Standard Rel. Humidity, RHs = 36% Required O2 Flow Rate (BOD

Required O2 Flow Rate (BOD

ersion Factors used in the Calculations

Saturation D.O. in water

at 20oC & 1 atm, Css = 9.17 mg/L NOTE: With nitrification,

Molecular weight of air = 28.97 These two oxygen requireme

Nalco Water Handbook, 4th Ed.,

Molecular weight of oxygen = 32

Actual O2 transfer effic. = A
Atmospheric Press. at sea level, Pstd = 14.70 psi
Actual O2 transfer effic. = A

Oxygen mole fraction in air = 0.209 Note that T must be in oC

n/hr or sec/min Conversion Factor: 24 hr/day

The equations for AOTE are bas
Conversion Factor: 144 in2/ft2 Standard Handbook of Environm
Design of Water Resource Recov
Conversion Factor: 32.174 lbm/slug and: Metcalf & Eddy, Wastewate

Conversion Factor: 0.036126 psi/in H2O Des. Std Flow Rate: SCFM

Des. Actual Air Flow Rate: A

BOD Removal Only)
( TA is abs temp., P is abs press
subscript s is for standard c
Blower Design Calculations/Results
Blower outlet pressure: PB2
Pressure at Mid Depth, PD = 17.1 psia
 Standard Air Density, r air = 0.07521 lb/ft3
(from Ideal Gas Law)

Design Air Flow Rate, SCFM = 535.0 scfm

Design Air Flow Rate, ACFM = 377.32 acfm

(at delivery point)

Blower outlet pressure, PB2 = 20.13 psia The source of values in the abov
Handbook of Environmental Engi

BOD Removal and Nitrification)

Blower Design Calculations/Results

Design Air Flow Rate, SCFM = 1,108 scfm

Design Air Flow Rate, ACFM = 781.10 acfm

(at delivery point)
The sources for the information i
Blower outlet pressure, PB2 = 20.13 psi Standard Handbook of Environm
and: Metcalf & Eddy, Wastewate
Company, 2003.
ncy (AOTE) considers the mean bubble position to be half the diffuser
m rising bubbles is not considered, thus the AOTE is then slightly For an example calculation of
slightly underestimated. Handbook of Environmental Engin

All rights reserved.

 References and Equations

A flow diagram of the activated sludge process is shown below along with the equations used in this
worksheet. For more details and background information on the activated sludge process and its
design and operation calculations, see the following references:

Water and Wastewater Engineering Design Principles and Practice, Sec 23.7, Suspended Growth Design Practice

Standard Handbook of Environmental Engineering, 2nd Ed, Sec 6.5.1. Activated Sludge

Handbook of Environmental Engineering Calculations, 2nd Ed, Sec 1.7.21. Activated Sludge Process
Design of Water Resource Recovery Facilities, 6th Ed., Sec. 12.1.3. Activated Sludge Environment

The symbols used in the flow diagram at the left, in

the equations below, and in the worksheet calculations
are as follows:
Q is volumetric flow rate in MGD
S is BOD5 concentration in mg/L
X is total suspended solids concentration in mg/L

The subscript o refers to the primary effluent stream.

The subscript e refers to the secondary effluent stream.

NOTE: Based on an assumption of not biological
degradation in the secondary clarifier, the BOD 5 in the
waste activated sludge and recycle activated sludge
The subscript w refers to the waste act. sludge stream.
The subscript r refers to the recycle act. Sludge stream.
V is the volume of the aeration tank in ft 3.
VMG is the volume of the aeration tank in millions of gal.

are taken to be equal to that in the effluent stream. X is the mixed liquor suspended solids concentration
in the aeration tank in mg/L.
Equations Used for These Calculations
See descriptions of the parameters above and in the User Entry section to the left.

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

Note that T must be in oC for this equation. [ oC = (oF - 32)/1.8 ]

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

Required O2 Flow Rate (BOD removal only): lb/day O2 = Qo*(So - Se)*8.34[(1/f) - 1.42 Yobs]

Se = effluent soluble BOD = BODe - (f*1.42*% Vol*TSSe)

Required O2 Flow Rate (BOD removal & Nitrification):

lb/day O2 = 8.34Qo*{(So - Se)[1/f - 1.42 Yobs] + 4.57(TKNo - Ne)}

NOTE: With nitrification, Se is typically taken to be zero because of the long SRT used.

These two oxygen requirement equations are based on:

Nalco Water Handbook, 4th Ed., Equations 23.6 and 23.7

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

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

Note that T must be in oC for these AOTE equations. [ oC = (oF - 32)/1.8 ]

See descriptions of the parameters in the User Entry section to the left.

The equations for AOTE are based on information in:

Standard Handbook of Environmental Engineering, 2nd Ed, Sec 6.5.1. Activated Sludge
Design of Water Resource Recovery Facilities, 6th Ed., Equation 12.32
and: Metcalf & Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Disposal, 4th Ed, Equation 5-55, McGraw-Hill, 2003.

Des. Std Flow Rate: SCFM = (lb/hr O2/AOTE)*MWair/[O2 fract in air)(MWO2)(r air)(60 min/hr)]

Des. Actual Air Flow Rate: ACMM = SCMM(TAa/TAs)(Ps/Pa)

TA is abs temp., P is abs press., subscript a is for actual conditions and

subscript s is for standard conditions.)

Blower outlet pressure: PB2 = Patm + DPdiff + g H2O*ddiff

The source of values in the above table is:
Handbook of Environmental Engineering Calculations, 2nd Ed., Table 7.12

The sources for the information in the above table are:

Standard Handbook of Environmental Engineering, 2nd Ed, Sec 6.5.1. Activated Sludge
and: Metcalf & Eddy, Wastewater Engineering, Treatment and Disposal, 4th Ed, Equation 5-55, McGraw-Hill Book
Company, 2003.

For an example calculation of oxygen and air requirement, see:

andbook of Environmental Engineering Calculations, 2nd Ed., Example 1.A, steps 13 - 16
n Practice

at the left, in
heet calculations

effluent stream.

y effluent stream.
ct. sludge stream.
ct. Sludge stream.

in millions of gal.

s concentration