CE 356: Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering

Wastewater Characteristics
Ricardo B. Jacquez Professor, CAGE Department New Mexico State University
Teaching Assistant: M. T. Myint

Learning Objectives
Comprehend basic characteristics of domestic wastewater (flow rate, BOD, SS) and apply these characteristics to a preliminary engineering design. Calculate mass loadings within the wastewater treatment system for BOD and SS. Calculate and interpret mass balances for mixtures of wastewaters. Calculate and interpret population equivalents for industrial wastewater.

Sources of Wastewater
(Major Components)
1. Domestic: food, soap and detergents, bathroom (fecal and urine), and paper. 2. Commercial: bathroom and food from restaurants and other stores. 3. Industrial: highly variable, dependent on industry, controlled by pre-treatment regulations. 4. Runoff from streets: sand and petroleum and tire residues (infiltration, not a direct discharge).

Wastewater Characteristics
Characteristics are categorized as: - Physical - Chemical - Biological Concentrations characterize wastewater as: weak, medium, and strong.

Physical Characteristics
Solids - Total solids: residue after evaporating all water (50% volatile and 50% fixed) (Volatile=organic. Fixed=inorganic mg/L) - Suspended solids: residue retained on a filter (75% volatile and 25% fixed). - Dissolved solids: residue passing through a filter (40% volatile and 60% fixed). - Settleable solids: residue after one hour settling in an Imhoff cone (ml/L) (the indicator of primary sludge).

SEWAGE
Domestic wastewater is the ideal mixture of biodegradable nutrients and microorganisms:
BOD (organics) Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Miscellaneous Micronutrients (S, Fe, Ca, . . . ) Bacteria

Chemical Characteristics
Organics: Predominant biodegradable fraction, BOD
-Protein -Carbohydrates -Urea -Fats, Oils, and Greases -Surfactants (detergents)

Priority pollutants
Industrial solvents, pesticides, etc. Pre-treatment standards control concentrations to trace levels

Chemical Characteristics cont.

Inorganic Matter
Nitrogen: from protein and urea. NH2, NH3, NH4+ forms ammonia and organics. An essential nutrient for growth of bacteria.

Oxygen Demand: NH4+ + 2O2 = NO3- + 2 H+ + H2O

Chemical Characteristics cont.

Phosphorous: phosphate (PO4-3)
Inorganic-detergents organic-food and metabolic wastes

Trace nutrients: S, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, K, Zn, Mo, etc. . . . . . plentiful

Mass Loading Calculations

Mass = Conc x Flow Rate = mg/L x MGD x 8.34 x 1/24 = lbs/hr = Conc x Flow Rate = mg/L x ft3/sec x 0.22 = lb/hr

Mass

Mass Balance Calculations

Fundamental Law: Massin = Massout Massin = Q1 x Conc1 + Q2 x Conc2 (knowns) Massout = QT x ConcT (unit constants cancel out) QT = Q1 + Q2 ConcT = unknown

Biological Characteristics
Most microorganisms known to microbiologists can be found in domestic wastewater. Bacteria Protozoa Viruses Algae (limited)

Population Equivalents
1. Wastewater discharge: 100 -120 gpcd - 70 gpcd domestic - 10 gpcd industrial/commercial - 20 to 40 gpcd infiltration 2. Suspended Solids and BOD SS = 0.2 lb pcd (without kitchen grinder) SS = 0.22 lb pcd (with kitchen grinder) BOD = 0.17 lb BOD pcd BOD = 0.26 lb BOD pcd (with kitchen grinder)

Population Equivalents cont.

For 100 gpcd and consider f or one person: 0.17lb 100 gal 1 8.34lb mg 6 10 gal L SS 0.2 lb 100 gal 1 8.34lb mg 6 10 gal L SS 240 mg L mg L

BOD

BOD

204

Population Equivalents cont.

Used to
Establish population equivalency of an industrial waste. Establish charge for treating industrial waste based on BOD or SS rather than flow.

Find the BOD and flow equivalent f or an industrial w aste w ith the follow ing characteristics: mg Q 0.1 MGD BOD 450 L Flow : 0.1 MGD 100 gal person day BOD: 0.1 MGD 450 mg 8.34lb L mg MGD L 2208people people 1000people people

0.17lb BOD person day

BOD equivalent is 2.2 times greater than f low equivalent.