Extended Aeration System

Extended Aeration system.
2.1 Introduction.
The Extended Aeration Process, a modification of the Activated Sludge Process,

effectively treats the contaminants in wastewater. Aeration can be conventional rate based
on mechanical aeration, or extended rate based on diffused aeration. An extended-aeration
system includes capabilities for aeration & mixing, settling, return of activated sludge and
solids removal, this last in the form of a biomass known as waste-activated sludge. An
activated sludge process re-circulates part of the biomass as an integral part of the process.
The standard basis of design includes an aeration system, providing a 24-hour detention time
and a final settling tank, with an effective 4-hour detention time. Diffused air is introduced
into the aeration tank, this provides the proper environment for the development of aerobic
bacteria. These bacteria thrive on the materials contained in the wastewater. The prolonged
period of aeration, in addition, oxidizes a portion of the solids in the system. Oxygenation by
diffused aeration provides operating flexibility and standby reserve to meet the demanding
requirements of varied package plant applications. Separation of the solids from the mixed
liquor developed in the aeration tank takes place in the settling compartment. The clarified
effluent is withdrawn for reuse or discharged into a receiving stream from the top of the
settling tank. The settled solids are rapidly pumped from the bottom of the settling tank back
to the aeration system. These Extended Aeration Plants are proven workhorses, providing
excellent Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal
efficiency. Only minimal routine housekeeping and operational tasks are required of the plant
operator.
2.1 Comparison between conventional process and Extended Aeration process
There are two commonly used process-loading ranges for operating activated-sludge
systems. A conventional-rate process involves 5 to 15 days residence time, while an
extended aeration-rate process has a slower, or lower, residence time of between 20 to 40
days residence time. Table below show different operation plant.
Conventional Plant Extended Aeration Plant

Larger Flow Small flow
Plug Flow Completely mixed
Moderate F/M ration (0.2 to 0.4) Low F/M ratio (0.05 to 0.15)
A mid-range sludge age of A relatively long sludge age,
approximately 3.5 10 days generally more than 10 days and
A slow organism growth rate often 20 to 30 days
MLSS 1500- 3000 mg/L MLSS 3000-6000 mg/L
BOD removed 80-90% BOD remove 85-95%
Hydraulic retention time of 6 to 8 A zero net organism growth rate
hours A relatively long hydraulic time of
A good quality effluent 18 to 24 hours
An effluent produce very light and
non degradable nature
2.3 Extended Aeration Process Scheme

Figure 2.0: Extended Aeration Process Scheme.
In Extended Aeration, This process takes raw sewage directly into an aerated mix tank
for 8 h or more to provide bacteria with optimum conditions to consume the BOD present in
the wastewater. The effluent from this mix tank goes to a sedimentation tank where the
flocculated colonies of organisms are settled to produce a clear overflow.A portion of the
settled microbial floc (small pin-size suspended solids) is returned to the head works and a
portion sent to sludge disposal. The clear effluent is then directed to final treatment such as
disinfection, perhaps passing through a final polishing filter. This method of treatment is
particularly suited to plants that have a low concentration of settleable solids in the raw
sewage. It minimizes the number of unit operations involved in smaller plants.
2.4 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended Aeration
Table 2.0: The advantages and disadvantages of Extended Aeration

Advantages Disadvantages
Plants are easy to operate, as the Extended aeration plants do not

management of operation is for a achieve denitrification or
maximum of two or three hours per phosphorus removal without
day.
Extended aeration processes are additional unit processes.
often better at handling organic Flexibility is limited to adapt to
loading and flow fluctuations, as changing effluent requirements

there is a greater detention time for resulting from regulatory changes.
the nutrients to be assimilated by Longer aeration period and hence
microbes.
Systems are odor free, can be requires more energy.
installed in most locations, have a

relatively small footprint, and can be
landscaped to match the surrounding
area.
Extended aeration systems have a
relatively low sludge yield due to
long sludge ages, can be designed to
provide nitrification, and do not
require a primary clarifier.
Conclusion
As the conclusion, all the process can be designed to achieve specific objectives
including nitrification, denitrification, and/or biological phosphorus removal. And due to the
constant water level and continuous discharge, oxidation ditch technology is very reliable and
does not cause an effluent surge common to other biological processes. Oxidation ditches are
more energy efficient than other similar processes, so this technology can be a better choice
for small communities and isolated institutions over conventional treatment plants. But
oxidation ditches require a larger land area which sometimes limits their use in areas where
land costs are high.
References
EPA. (1997) Wastewater Treatment Manuals. Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Treatment.
Environmental Protection Agency. Ireland
Karia, G.L & Christian, R.A. (2012). Wastewater treatment Concept and Design Approach.
Biological Treatment of Wastewater Aerobic Processing 182-187. PHI Learning Private
limited. New Delhi.

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Extended Aeration system.

The Extended Aeration Process, a modification of the Activated Sludge Process,

Conventional Plant Extended Aeration Plant

2.3 Extended Aeration Process Scheme

2.4 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended Aeration

Table 2.0: The advantages and disadvantages of Extended Aeration

Plants are easy to operate, as the Extended aeration plants do not

often better at handling organic Flexibility is limited to adapt to

loading and flow fluctuations, as changing effluent requirements

installed in most locations, have a

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