Design Considerations of

Sequencing Batch Reactor

System
Presented by Ts. Ho Yoke Ping
 Ts. Ho Yoke Ping
Email: pinghy@iwk.com.my

Manager
Planning Unit
Planning & Land Section
Planning and Engineering Department

Bac. Sc. (Hons) Environment

Project Management Professional (PMP ®)
Registered Trainer No: 21042
MBOT Members: PT19110019
CePIETSO(BP)/00675

2
Contents
Focus for Day 1 Focus for Day 2
 Introduction to activated sludge  Sequencing batch reactor system
 What is activated sludge?  Concept of SBR system
 Benefits and advantages  Benefits and advantages
 Laboratory requirement
 Design requirement of activated sludge
system  Design considerations of SBR system
 Typical activated slduge system  Process requirement
 Types  Physical requirement
 Desgin considerations of activated  Control requirement
sludge system
 BNR removal systems  Common design issue
 What is BNR removal?  Physical requirement
 Design considerations of BNR system  Process Requirement

3
 Target Training
SBR Concept
Detailed description of how
Introduction of Activated Sludge SBR function and the
Understand the basic activated process requirement
sludge requirement

Accessories of SBR
Understand how the M&E and
Nitrogen Removal other accessories
Understand the basic comprehended to the system
requirement of nitrogen removal
in and how it works in SBR
system
SBR in Malaysia

5
 History of SBR Development
Continuous fed with Research and data
basic principle of AS collection for SBR

Pilot Batch Feed Innovation

installation System

Discovered installation in On ground installation of batch Various innovation applied –

England and USA fed system using periodic fed ICEAS, i-SBR, Granular SBR
and withdraw concept
1920 1980

1914 1960 Now

Multiple Research Data
installation
Research in data compiling
Increase in installation and variation development
quantity 6
 SBR Installation World Wide
> 150
Germany
>1200 North
America > 700 Japan

> 100
Australia

7
 Installation of SBR in Malaysia
Numbers of SBR

230

45
27 14 2 11 22 5 18 2 23 2

PULAU PINANG
MELAKA

PAHANG

TERENGGANU
KELANTAN

NEGERI SEMBILAN

PERAK
KEDAH

SELANGOR

WP KUALA LUMPUR

WP LABUAN
JOHOR

Ref: IWK Asset Data Based As per Mar 2021 8

Installation of SBR in Malaysia

Total SBR = 401

Biggest dPE = 800,000PE

Smallest dPE = 410PE

Ref: IWK Asset Data Based As per Mar 2021

9
 SBR System Compliance in IWK

Parameters BOD COD NH3-N NO3-N pH O&G TSS

Count 12274 12274 12274 11285 12274 12274 12274
Mean 11.51 47.99 9.60 3.64 7.02 3.55 17.39
Stdev 16.09 51.90 8.43 4.28 0.48 3.33 40.70

Compliance
20 50 10 20 6 to 9 5 50
Requirement
Standard A

Remarks: SBR compliance record from Jan 2020 to April 2021

10
 PROS CONS
 Small land area requirements  Higher level of maintenance associated with
 Less unit processes; thus, less capital and more sophisticated controls, automated
O&M cost switches and automated valves
 Less labor since automated control by  Potential of discharging floating or settled
PLCs sludge during the Draw or Decant phase with
 Batch process equalized variation and some SBR configurations
shock hydraulic & organic load  Potential plugging of aeration devices during
 Improved effluent quality: quiescent selected operating cycles
settling conditions  the air system has to be over-designed because
 Many parameters removal in a single of its cyclical operation (limited aeration time);
batch processes  tank capacity has to be over-designed when a
 Operating flexibility and control high hydraulic peak coefficient applies (over 3);
 Excluded sludge recirculation (in  in some cases, downstream storage will be
principle) required when tertiary treatment is included.

11
Fundamental of
Activated Sludge
System
12
Basic Idea of Removal Concepts
 Whatever come in must go out
 Air
 Water
 Solids

 Transform into actable of removable form

 Air (N2 gas)
 Water (effluent, e.g BOD, COD, TSS, nitrate, FOG, Ammonia)
 Solid (biosolids)

 Remove solids
 Sedimentation
 Filtration
 Membrane separation

13
 Good Aerobic Treatment Conditions
Basic requirement of good aerobic biological treatment:
a) Presence of mixed population of active microorganism
b) Good contact between microorganism and substrate (well mixing and substrate to micro ratio
c) Availability of oxygen
d) Availability of nutrients, well maintenance of environment C:N:P 100:5:1 (temperature and
pH)
e) Sufficient of contact time between food and microorganism (no short circuit)
f) Effective separation of microorganism from treated effluent
Achievable with the following:
a) Proper equipment and reactor design, selection and assemble of hardware
b) Effective ways to bring contact between the food and microorganism (complete mixed
conditions)
c) Innovative ways to supply oxygen and maintain mixing
d) Efficient ways to separate microorganism and release the treated effluent

14
 What is Aerobic Biological Treatment
Biological Wastewater Treatment
Food
O2
O2
Microorganisms
consume organic
Food matter from the
Food
wastewater, using
O2 O2 oxygen for respiration

Millions of aerobic and facultative micro-organisms

remove pollutants through living and growing process 15
What is Aerobic Biological Treatment
Air →Provides Oxygen and Mixing

Biomass
Incoming (suspended) Effluent Effluent is
SBR discharge after
Tank completion of the
SBR process

WAS during
decant or idle

16
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?
Graph Showing Growth Phases in a
X
Growth Rate of Organisms
Biological System
Abundance of Food

When Food Supply is

Introduced into a Biological
Treatment System that is in
Start-up

Few Organisms

X
Time 17
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?
Lag
Growth

Growth Rate of Organisms Food Begins to be Consumed

Organisms Begin to Acclimate

Producing Needed Enzymes

Organism Population Begins to Increase

18
Time
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?
Lag Log
Growth Growth

Growth Rate of Organisms Food

Rapidly
Consumed Organisms Acclimated

Organism Population
Rapidly Increases

19
Time
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?
Lag Log Declining
Growth Growth Growth

Growth Rate of Organisms

Food

Organism Population
Growth Limited by Food
Supply

20
Time
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?
Lag Log Declining Endogenous
Growth Growth Growth Growth

Growth Rate of Organisms

Food

Food Supply Depleted -

Organism Growth Rate
Continues Decline

21
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?
Lag Log Declining Endogenous
Growth Growth Growth Growth

Growth Rate of Organisms

Stored Food
Food Metabolized -
Organisms Feed on
One Another
(Producing Less Sludge)

Sludge Production

22
Time
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?
Lag Log Declining Endogenous
Growth Growth Growth Growth

Growth Rate of Organisms

Graph Showing Growth
Food
Phases in a Biological
System

Summary

Sludge Production

23
Time
Microbial Growth Curve
Lag growth = Initial stage with slow growth
of microbial due to new environment
Log growth = Rapid and maximum growth
rate of microbial, with excess food provided
in the environment
Declining growth = New cell production
slow with food supply depletion
Stationery = Population of viable cells is
balanced with new and dead cells where
reaching to endogenous phase
Lag death = During food supply is depleted
with higher death rate compare to growth
rate
Typical microbial growth curve
Increasing death = More death than growth
24
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?
Lag growth = Initial stage with slow growth
of biomass due to new environment
adaptation of microbial
Log growth = Rapid and maximum biomass
production by microbial, with excess food
provided in the environment
Declining growth = Food supply depletion
and slower metabolism
Endogenous phase = Microbial forced to
metabolise own protoplasm with decay rate
become dominant

Typical biomass growth curve

25
Microbial Growth Curve – what is it about?

This graph illustrates that the

activities of Microorganisms
in a biological treatment
system is related to the
Average Age of the
Organisms in the System or
the “SRT” of the System

Note: The SRT is to

determined the time solids
remain in the reactor

26
 Specific Gross Bacterial Growth
 The substrate or pollutant is consume by microbial, it will also generate new
biomass while the old biomass will be decay in the system – growth of bacterial
 The growth rate of a bacterial population is a function of its mass or
concentration at a given time
where:
X = concentration of the
microorganisms in the reactor, SS
or VSS (g/m3)
μ = specific growth rate (d−1)
t = time (d)
 The formula above shows when no limit of substrate provided
 Carbonaceous matter is usually limiting growth factor in the STP to the
microbial growth

27
 Specific Gross Bacterial Growth

where:
μmax = maximum specific growth rate (d−1)
S = concentration of the limiting substrate or
nutrient (g/m3)
Ks = half-saturation coefficient, which is defined as
the substrate concentration
for which μ = μmax/2 (g/m3)
Ks is the substrate concentration at which the
actual growth rate of the organism is half of its
maximum growth rate.
 Reduction of substrate limiting the growth of
microbial Tips:
 Microbial growth rate will reach to maximum 1. μmax achieved when microbial growth reaching
even with continue increase of substrate stationery
 New factor will be replacing that limiting growth 2. Half saturation happened during log phase of
microbial growth 28
 Specific Gross Bacterial Growth
Pseudo Zero-Order Substrate
Utilization: During high substrate is
provided to the system

dS/dt = substrate utilisation rate per unit of

reactor volume, mg substrate/L.h
(1/X)(dS/dT) = specific substrate utilisation rate
per unit mass of microorganisms, mg
substrate/mgVSS.h
k value from 0.20 to 0.40 L/g VSS.h
(QASIM Book)
Pseudo First-Order Substrate Utilization:
During limited substrate concentration
k = Pseudo First-order reaction rate constant to the base, e,
L/mg VSS.h (L/mg VSS.d) 29
 Microbial Growth Kinetic in Batch Reactor
Average concentration of cell mass (X) during the
Pseudo Zero-Order Substrate
Utilization: During high substrate is
biological reaction period from t = 0 to t = t is used to
provided to the system replace X in the formula

dS/dt = substrate utilisation rate per

unit of reactor volume, mg
substrate/L.h
(1/X)(dS/dT) = specific substrate
utilisation rate per unit mass of
 The (-) sign indicates decreasing of microorganisms, mg
substrate with time. substrate/mgVSS.h
 Mass cell X is not constant and
increase with time X = average concentration of cell mass during the
biological reaction period from t = 0 to t = t
Tips: What is a substrate? k = Pseudo Zero-reaction rate constant, h-1(d-1)
Substrate is organics that consumed as S = substrate concentration remaining at any time t, mg
food by microorganism substrate/L
S0 = initial substrate concentration at t=0, mg substrate/L
LAW OF MASS ACTION
The Law of Mass Action tells us that, the rate of chemical reaction is proportional to the concentrations of the reactants
30
 Microbial Growth Kinetic in Batch Reactor
Pseudo First-Order Substrate
Utilization: During limited substrate
concentration
K = Pseudo First-order reaction rate constrant to the base,
e, L/mg VSS.h (L/mg VSS.d)

Example of
graph
 The (-) sign indicates decreasing of
substrate with time.
 Mass cell X is not constant and
increase with time
 k for municipal wastewater based on BOD5 may
 Substitute of X with range from o.1 to 1.25 L/g VSS.h.
average X  Design purpose shall based on k value from 0.20
to 0.40 L/g VSS.h

31
 Yield Rate, Y – MLSS Yield

Simultaneous reaction in a system includes:

a) Microbial growth Biomass concentration
b) Substrate removal (consumed) increase with substrate
c) A portion of substrate oxidised for energy removal
d) A portion of substrate converted into new cells

Yield rate = Y (Substrate removal rate) Amount of biomass that is produced per
where: amount of substrate fed = Yield
X = concentration of microorganisms, SS or VSS (g/m ) 3

Y = yield coefficient, or coefficient of biomass production; biomass (SS or

VSS) produced per unit mass of substrate removed (BOD or COD) (g/g)
S = concentration of BOD or COD in the reactor (g/m )
5 3

t = time (d)
Y = 0.4 to 0.8 g VSS/g BOD5 removed (Metcalf & Eddy, 1991)
Example of value or
Y=0.3 to 0.7 g VSS/g COD removed (EPA, 1993; Orhon and Artan, 1994)
32
 Yield Rate, Y
Taking into consideration the reduction of the biomass due to endogenous
respiration where:
X = concentration of microorganisms, SS or VSS (g/m ) 3

Y = yield coefficient, or coefficient of biomass production; biomass (SS or

VSS) produced per unit mass of substrate removed (BOD or COD) (g/g)
S = concentration of BOD or COD in the reactor (g/m )
5 3

t = time (d)
Kd = endogenous respiration coefficient, or bacterial decay coefficient (d−1)
Tips:
The bacteria stay in the treatment
Reference Example
systems for more than one or two Kd =0.04 to 0.10 mgVSS/mgVSS.d (base: BOD5) (Metcalf & Eddy, 1991;
days, there is also the endogenous von Sperling, 1997)
metabolism stage or
Kd = 0.05 to 0.12 mgVSS/mgVSS.d (base: COD) (EPA, 1993; Orhon and
Artan, 1994)

33
 Example 1.0
Calculate the biological solids production in a treatment system, assuming
steady state. Data:
• Reactor volume: V = 9,000 m3 Coefficients of the model:
• Hydraulic detention time: t = 3 d • Yield coefficient: Y = 0.6 mgVSS/mg BOD5
• Influent substrate (total BOD5 ): So = 350 mg/L • Endogenous respiration coefficient: Kd = 0.06 d−1
• Effluent substrate (soluble BOD5 ): S = 9.1 mg/L
• Biomass in the reactor (VSS): Xv = 173.3 mg/L
Answer
dX/dt = 0.6 gVSS/gBOD5 [(350 – 9.1) gBOD5/m3 / 3 d] – [0.06 d-1 x
(173.3g/m3)]
= 68.18 gVSS/m3.d – 10.398 g/m3.d
= 57.8g VSS/m3.d
The production per day is 57.8g/m3 without considering the reactor volume.
Net biomass production = 57.8g/m3 /1000g/kg x 9000m3
= 520.2kg VSS/day
34
 Example 2.0
The flow (Q) and influent BOD5 (S0) are 6500m3/day and 180mg/l, respectively. The aeration
period is 3 hr. The biomass yield coefficient (Y), endogenous decay coefficient (kd), effluent
soluble BOD5 (S), and average MLVSS concentration (X) are 0.5 g VSS/g BOD5, 0.04d-1, 6
mg/l, and 1800mg/l, respectively. Calculate the biomass growth in the reactor.
Solutions

Biomass growth per day

= M = V.dX/dt
= (6500 m3/day x d/24hr x
dS/dt = (S0 – S) / dt = (180 – 6 )mg/l BOD5/ 3hr x 24 h/d
3 hr) x 624 gVSS/m3.d
= 1392 gBOD5/m3.d
= 507,000 gVSS/d
dX/dt = (0.5 g VSS/g BOD5 x 1392 gBOD5/m3.d) = 507kg VSS/d
- (0.04 d-1 x 1800 gVSS/m3 )
= (696 – 72) gVSS/m3.d
= 624 gVSS/m3.d
35
Exercise 1.0
The flow (Q) and influent BOD5 (S0) are 5000m3/day and 250mg/l, respectively. The aeration
period is 12 hr. The biomass yield coefficient (Y), endogenous decay coefficient (kd), effluent
soluble BOD5 (S), and average MLVSS concentration (X) are 0.5 g VSS/g BOD5, 0.04d-1, 10
mg/l, and 3500mg/l, respectively. Calculate the biomass growth in the reactor.
Solutions

36
 Exercise 1.0 Answer Sheet
The flow (Q) and influent BOD5 (S0) are 5000m3/day and 250mg/l, respectively. The aeration
period is 12 hr. The biomass yield coefficient (Y), endogenous decay coefficient (kd), effluent
soluble BOD5 (S), and average MLVSS concentration (X) are 0.5 g VSS/g BOD5, 0.04d-1, 10
mg/l, and 3500mg/l, respectively. Calculate the biomass growth in the reactor.
Solutions
dS/dt = (S0 – S) / dt = (250 – 10 )mg/l Biomass growth per day
BOD5/ 12hr x 24 h/d = M = V.dX/dt
= 480 gBOD5/m3.d = (5000 m3/day x d/24hr x
12 hr) x 100 gVSS/m3.d
= (0.5 g VSS/g BOD5 x 480 gBOD5/m3.d) = 250,000 gVSS/d
dX/dt - (0.04 d-1 x 3500 gVSS/m3 ) = 250kg VSS/d
= (240 – 140) gVSS/m3.d
= 100 gVSS/m3.d

37
Exercise 2.0
The flow (Q) and influent BOD5 (S0) are 5000m3/day and 250mg/l, respectively. The aeration
period is 24 hr. The biomass yield coefficient (Y), endogenous decay coefficient (kd), effluent
soluble BOD5 (S), and average MLVSS concentration (X) are 0.5 g VSS/g BOD5, 0.04d-1, 10
mg/l, and 3500mg/l, respectively. Calculate the biomass growth in the reactor.
Solutions

38
Exercise 2.0
The flow (Q) and influent BOD5 (S0) are 5000m3/day and 250mg/l, respectively. The aeration
period is 24 hr. The biomass yield coefficient (Y), endogenous decay coefficient (kd), effluent
soluble BOD5 (S), and average MLVSS concentration (X) are 0.5 g VSS/g BOD5, 0.04d-1, 10
mg/l, and 3500mg/l, respectively. Calculate the biomass growth in the reactor.
Solutions

dS/dt = (S0 – S) / dt = (250 – 10 )mg/l Biomass growth per day

BOD5/ 24hr x 24 h/d = M = V.dX/dt
= 240 gBOD5/m3.d = (5000 m3/day x d/24hr x
24 hr) x 20 gVSS/m3.d
= (0.5 g VSS/g BOD5 x 240 gBOD5/m3.d) = 100,000 gVSS/d
dX/dt - (0.04 d-1 x 2500 gVSS/m3 ) = 100kg VSS/d
= (120 – 100) gVSS/m3.d
= 20 gVSS/m3.d

39
 Food to Microorganism Ratio (F/M Ratio)

 It give indication of quantity of food / substrate available per unit mass of

microorganism to decide the efficiency of the desired system.
 Food load supply 3
Q = Influent flow rate, m /day
S0 = Influent BOD5 concentration, g/m3
 Microorganism mass V = volume of reactor, m3
- MLSS in the tank – 3000 to 5000mg/l Xv = Volatile suspended solids in the reactor, g/m3

 Hence F/M ratio MLVSS = 0.7 to 0.85 Prefer

MLSS ratio

Where,
EA function = 0.05 – 0.30 gBOD5 supplied per day/g VS
CAS function = 0.25 – 0.50 gBOD5 supplied per day/g VS 40
Example 1.0
Estimate the effluent BOD from an activated sludge plant to be designed to
treat an municipal waste stream of 2000PE. The influent BOD is 200mg/l. The
average MLVSS concentration in the reactor basin and the reactor basin
volume are 3800mg/l and 200m3 respectively. What is the F/M ratio adopted
by the system.
Answer
PE = 2000PE
Q = 0.225 m3/day/PE
S0 = 200mg/l
X = 3800mg/l
V = 200m3 F/M Ratio = 0.225m3/day/PE x 2000PE x (200/1000) g/m3
(3800 /1000) g/m3 x 200m3
= 0.11 gBOD5 supplied per day/g VSS
41
Exercise 1.0
The flow (Q) and influent BOD5 (S0) are 5000m3/day and 250mg/l, respectively. The aeration
period is 12 hr. The MLSS during operation is required to be maintained at 3500mg/l,
calculated the F/M Ratio for the system.

Solutions

42
Exercise 1.0
The flow (Q) and influent BOD5 (S0) are 5000m3/day and 250mg/l, respectively. The aeration
period is 12 hr. The MLSS during operation is required to be maintained at 3500mg/l,
calculated the F/M Ratio for the system.

Solutions

BOD loading entering the STP Microganism loading

= Qave x [BOD] = Aeration tank Volume x [MLSS]
= 5000m3/day x [250/1000]kg/m3 = 2500m3 x [3500/1000]kg/m3
= 1250kg/day = 8750kg

Aeration Tank Volume F/M Ratio

= Qave x retention time = BOD loading / Micro Loading
= 5000m3/day x 12 hrs/24 = 1250kg/day/8750kg
= 2500m3 = 0.14kg/kg.d

43
 Sludge Retention Time (SRT)
 The retention time of the solids in the system
 Also know as sludge age or mean cell retention time (MCRT), with the symbol, θ
 The average length of Time in days that an  In the steady state, the quantity of solids removed
organism remains in the system from the system is equal to the quantity of sludge
produced.

 It is very much relevant to the kinetic of sludge produce in the system.

 It is one of common design / operation control of the SBR system
 The formula below has been shown in MSIG Vol. 4, pg. 113
SRT can be verify
with kinetic or
using WAS
calculated

44
 Sludge Retention Time (SRT) – kinetic calculation
 Biomass production can be represented by dX/dt

Hypothesis of SRT
 The biochemical reactions occur only in the reactor.
 The biomass is assumed to be present only in the reactor.
 The influence of the solids in the influent sewage was not considered.
Type of Process Recommended Sludge Age (days)
Adapted from Malaysian Sewerage
CAS 5 – 10 Industry Guidelines
(Volume IV-Sewage Treatment Plants,
EA > 20 3rd Edition (pg. 110, 112 & 119) by
National Water Services Commission
SBR 20 – 30 (Continuous) 10 – 30 (Intermittent) (SPAN), 2009

45
 Example 1.0
Calculate the sludge age in the sewage treatment system (without a settling tank and solids
recirculation).
 Reactor volume: V = 9,000 m3 Model coefficients:
 Influent substrate (total BOD5 ): So = 350 mg/L • Maximum specific growth rate: μmax = 3.0 d−1
 Effluent substrate (soluble BOD5 ): S = 9.1 • Half-saturation coefficient: Ks = 60 mg/L
mg/L • Endogenous respiration coefficient: Kd = 0.06
d−1
Answer

μ = 3.0d-1 . [9.1mg/l BOD5/(60 + Θc = 1 / (0.395d-1 – 0.06d-1)

9.1)mg/l BOD5] = 2.984 day
= 0.395 d-1

46
Example 2.0
Calculate the sludge age of SBR system with the following
information.
Information:
PE = 1500
Flow rate = 0.225m3/day
AT Volume = 400 m3
MLSS selection = 3500mg/l
Excess Sludge Concentration = 10,000mg/l
WAS pump flow rate = 4.8m3/day
Solids in Effluent = Compliance = 20mg/l

47
 Example 2.0
Calculate the sludge age of SBR system with the following
information.
Step 1: Identify total solids in AT Step 3: Identify Solids in Effluent
Total solids in AT = AT Volume x MLSS in AT Solids in Effluent = Incoming Flow x SS effluent
= 400m3 x 3.5kg/m3 = 1500PE x 0.225m3/PE x
= 1,400kg 0.02kg/m3
= 6.75kg
Step 2: Excess Sludge Wasting
Step 4: Calculate Sludge Age
Excess sludge wasting = Concentration x WAS
Sludge Age = Step 1 divided by Step 2 + Step 3
pump flow rate 1400
= 10kg/m3 x 4.8m3/day =
48+6.75
= 48 kg/day = 25 days

48
Exercise 1.0
Calculate the sludge age of SBR system with the following
information.
Information:
PE = 25000
Flow rate = 0.225m3/day
SBR Volume = 5800 m3
MLSS selection = 3500mg/l
Excess Sludge Concentration = 10,000mg/l
WAS pump flow rate = 20m3/day
Solids in Effluent = Compliance = 20mg/l

49
 Exercise 1.0
Calculate the sludge age of SBR system with the following
information.
Step 1: Identify total solids in AT Step 3: Identify Solids in Effluent
Total solids in SBR = SBR Volume x MLSS in AT Solids in Effluent = Incoming Flow x SS effluent
= 5800m3 x 3.5kg/m3 = 25000PE x 0.225m3/PE x
= 20,300kg 0.02kg/m3
= 112.5kg
Step 2: Excess Sludge Wasting
Step 4: Calculate Sludge Age
Excess sludge wasting = Concentration x WAS
Sludge Age = Step 1 divided by Step 2 + Step 3
pump flow rate 20,300
= 10kg/m3 x 60m3/day =
600+112.5
= 600 kg/day = 28 days

50
Nitrogen
Removal

51
 Nitrogen Removal - N cycle in WWTP
Organic N How much N in the design MSIG – TKN = 50mg/l
(protein, urea) to be adopted??
Decay
Hydrolysis
Organic N Organic N
Ammonia N
(microorganisms) (biosolids)
O2
Nitrite N
O2

Nitrate N Nitrite N Nitrogen Gas

Organic carbon
(no oxygen) 52
 Nitrogen Removal - N cycle in WWTP
Organic N
(protein, urea)
Decay
Nitrification
Hydrolysis
Organic N Organic N
Ammonia N
(microorganisms) (biosolids)
O2
Denitrification
Nitrite N
O2

Nitrate N Nitrite N Nitrogen Gas

Organic carbon
(no oxygen) 53
 Nitrogen Removal - N cycle in WWTP
Organic N
(protein, urea)
Decay
Hydrolysis
Organic N Organic N
Ammonia N
(microorganisms) (biosolids)
O2 Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria - Nitrosomonas
Nitrite N
O2 Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria - Nitrobacter
Nitrate N Nitrite N Nitrogen Gas

Organic carbon Many types of heterotrophic bacteria

(no oxygen) 54
 Nitrogen Removal - Biomass removal
Organic N
(protein, urea)
About 10% removed in WAS
Decay
Hydrolysis Affected by SRT
Organic N Organic N
Ammonia N
(microorganisms) (biosolids)
O2 About 15-20% of
influent TKN is required
Nitrite N
for AS sludge growth (Ns)
O2

Nitrate N Nitrite N Nitrogen Gas

Organic carbon
(no oxygen) 55
Nitrogen Removal in Biosolids

Source:
https://www.acsaw
ater.com/sites/def
ault/files/websitefil
es/SVWWTPN/Nitr
ogen.pdf 56
Example
Example:
Yield = 0.6 VSS/BOD
TKN = 50 mg/L
BOD = 250 mg/L
N/BOD = 0.2

Result:
30% of N goes to WAS
50 mg/L N x 0.30 = 15 mg/L N
removed
50-15= 35 mg/L N remains
57
Exercise
Example:
Yield = 0.7 VSS/BOD
TKN = 50 mg/L
BOD = 250 mg/L
N/BOD = 0.2

Result:
35% of N goes to WAS
50 mg/L N x 0.35 = 17.5 mg/L N
removed
50-17.5= 32.5 mg/L N remains
58
 Nitrogen Removal - Nitrification
• 2 steps of conversion processes Nitrification
Nitrosomanas
2NH4+ + 3O2 2NO2- + 2H2O + 4H+
Oxygen required = 3.43 kg O2 / kg N oxidised
Alkalinity required = 7.14 kg CaCO3 / kg N oxidised Ammonia N
Nitrobacter
-
2NO2 + O2 2NO3- Ammonia-oxidizing
bacteria - Nitrosomonas
O2
Oxygen required = 1.44 kg O2 / kg N oxidised
Nitrite N
Total oxygen required = 4.57 kg O2 / kg N oxidised Nitrite-oxidizing
O2
bacteria - Nitrobacter
• Others required conditions:
Nitrate N
– Adequate SRT – identify of minimum SRT is required
1
– Given temperature Min SRT=
𝜇𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝑁 −b𝑁
59
Factors of Nitrification Removal
• pH
– Optimal pH for nitrification between 7 - 8.5
– pH below 6 can lead to inhibition
• Alkalinity
– Alkalinity is the carbon source for nitrifier growth
– DO not want to go below 50 mg/L as CaCO3, or pH
– For 21 mg/L ammonia nitrified, require 200 mg/L alkalinity
• 7.14 x 21 +50 ~ 200 mg/L
• Low Oxygen
– Nitrifiers are strict aerobes, inhibited at very low DO levels
– As long as DO > 2 mg/L, little impact on nitrifier growth rate
60
Temperature Effect on Minimum SRT

• Higher
temperature lower
SRT recorded
• It is common at
Malaysia
temperature that
nitrification
happens naturally
• Washout SRT
required to allow
2.5 Safety Factor
61
Design Consideration for Nitrification

Bioreactor volume
requirements

Tank Configuration

Oxygen Requirements
62
Bioreactor volume requirements
• Critical parameters for bioreactor volume sizing:
– Design aerobic SRT
– Raw wastewater characteristics
– Selected operating MLSS
• Selection of Design Aerobic SRT
– Almost always based on coldest wastewater temperature
– If good historical data available, use minimum week effluent temperature
– Aerobic SRT selection might be impacted by effluent limits, but not
normally
– Typical temperature in Malaysia is 28O C
– In this case, design aerobic SRT of 1 to 3 days is typical (to include 2.5
safety factor)

63
SRT for Nitrifier VS Temperature

Typical
Malaysia
temperature at
21OC to 32OC

Potential SRT
recommended
at 1 to 3 days

Including safety
factor = 2.5 to
7.5 days

64
Bioreactor Volume for Nitrification
• Raw wastewater (or primary effluent) characteristics:
– Can have major impact on sizing of tankage
– Nitrifiers only make up ~1-2% of MLSS
– TSS/BOD feed to bioreactor is most important
– Should do rigorous review of historical data to determine design
characteristics
– For bioreactor sizing, look at peak loading characteristics
• Design MLSS concentration:
– Optimal in terms of aeration tankage and secondary clarifier sizing is
2,500 – 3,000 mg/L
– Higher MLSS values can be used, but usually means very large
secondary clarifier to account for higher solids loading
65
Bioreactor Oxygen Requirements
• Aeration is required for:
– Supply oxygen for biological processes
– Mixing
• For mixing, minimum requirements:
– Mechanical aeration = 5 – 8 W / m3 of tankage
– Diffused air = from range of 10 to 15 m3/min/1000m3 water (grid
arrangement)
• Oxygen specifically used for:
– Oxidation of organic matter (BOD)
– Nitrification
– Endogenous decay
66
Nitrification Design Considerations

• Other design considerations:

– Don’t forget about recycle streams
– Need sufficient oxygen transfer for to meet peak diurnal oxygen
– Demand during peak day loading
– Minimum mixing criteria
– Consider using fine bubble aeration
• Consider providing DO sensors with feedback loop to blowers
• Avoid air taping from aeration system to biological tank, split
blower with other air usage, i.e. SHT mixing, scum skimmer,
air pump etc.
67
Nitrogen Removal - Denitrification
• Conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas
• N2 goes to atmosphere (atmosphere is 78% N2)
• Removes TN
• Conditions for denitrification:
– Denitrifying bugs (“facultative heterotrophs” or methylotrophs)
– Carbon!
– No oxygen: nitrate used as electron acceptor
– Denitrification: 2.86 mgO2/mgN

Nitrate N Nitrite N Nitrogen Gas

Organic carbon
(no oxygen) 68
Requirements for Denitrification

• Need nitrate to be formed

– Nitrate is formed during nitrification
– As long as system is nitrifying, this criterion is met
• Need “denit” or anoxic zone in system:
– Nitrate
– Bacteria
– Substrate
– No oxygen, but mixing to retain biomass in suspension

69
Design Considerations for Denitrification
• Do not take away “required” aerobic SRT to provide anoxic
zones
– Unless providing only seasonal denitrification via “swing” zones
• Size anoxic zones appropriately and provide mixing
– Minimum SRT for MLE anoxic zone ~ 1.5 days
• Kinetics of denitrification are fairly complex, and very
dependent on nature of COD (readily biodegradable, slowly
biodegradable)
– Carry out raw wastewater characterization
– Use a process model to assist in design sizing
• Design “zones” to allow free flowing surface
70
Denitrification in SBR System

• Various arrangement in SBR system

A) Incorporate Anoxic Zone in Time Sequence
i. Allowed anoxic sequence in overall SBR time sequence
ii. Installed mixing device, mixer which operated during mixing
B) Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification
i. Design to create bigger floc to allow simultaneuously nitrification at
outer layer of floc and inner layer for denitrification.
ii. Concern with completely mixed tank configuration
iii. Usually rely on long SRT in the system (driven by
endogenous respiration)
71
Fundamental Of Activated Sludge System
Waste Activated Sludge

Excess activated sludge (waste activated sludge)

The microbial growth that is in excess of that needed for plant
operation. The excess growth must be wasted for balanced operation.
Important of sludge wasting:
a) Bacteria growth rate e) The possibility of nitrifying
b) Oxygen consumption f) Nutrient quantities needed
c) Mixed liquor settle-ability g) Final effluent quality
d) Occurrence of foaming/frothing

Waste sludge is normally conducted during end of decanting for SBR system

72
 Waste Activated Sludge

Type of Process Sludge Generation Rate

(kg sludge / kg BOD5 removed)
Guided CAS 0.8 to 1.0
design EA / OD 0.4 to 0.6

value RBC/SBR/High
Rate Trickling
0.8

Hybrid system 0.4

MSIG Vol. 4, pg. 111 & 113 MSIG Vol. 4, pg. 139, Table 5.24

 VT is the aeration tank of the design, must be same as DC and Drawings

 MLSS selected must be same in the whole design document, adopted based of type
of system
 Sludge Age is calculated in the liquid line, should be same in the whole design
document
 Underflow concentration normally adopted in range of 8,000mg/l to 12,000mg/l.
73
Process Design Considerations of SBR System
Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT)
 HRT is not major considerations for SBR system where the SRT play more
important role in SBR system

 The solids remain longer in the system than the liquid to allow for the
chemical reaction

74
 Mass Balance
The law of conservation of mass 1. Draw system boundary and identify
states that mass can neither be all flow arrow.
created nor destroyed. 2. Assume no changes in total liquid
volume.
3. Assume the control volume is well
mixed.
4. Determine the kinetic of the
process, i.e. batch process with 0-
order and 1st order
Under steady state conditions, the total 5. Determine whether the process
mass entering a reactor will be equal to conditions, i.e. steady state (dC/dt =
the total mass leaving. 0) or nonsteady state (dC/dt ≠ 0).
6. Solve the problem.

75
Mass Balance of SBR
Mass balance of SBR system is relatively simple and straight forward

Q𝑆0 = 𝑄(𝑆𝑒 + 𝑆0 − 𝑆𝑒 )+𝑄𝑊𝐴𝑆 𝑃𝑥

Q = influent flow rate

S0 = initial substrate
Se = Substrate in effluent
QWAS = flow rate in WAS
PX = biomass produce during
the substrate removal

76
Concept of SBR

77
Type of SBR

• All processes in one reactor • Normally with another tank

• Batch feed for settling and decanting
• Not encourage of time
continuous feed due to • Continuous flow (reactor
disturbing of settling design with plug flow
process during settle time concept)
• Example Intermittent
Decant Extended Aeration
(IDEA)
A) Intermittently
B) Continuous Fill
Fill and
and Intermittently
Intermittently
Decant
Decant

78
 SBR Operation Concept Cycle Description Time ratio
Fill cycle - Fill of influent with about
25% reactor occupied with settle 15 to 20
biosolids.
React cycle - Start with tank at
100% filled. Aerate and mixing could
be intermittently arrange to meet 20 to 30
design compliance.

Settle cycle – settling of biosolids,

20 to 30
~1/3 depth as supernatant above
solid-liquid level.

Decant cycle – removal of

10 to 20
supernatant via decanter, leaving
about 25% to 30% of settle biosolids

Sources: Idle cycle – time for waiting for next 0 to 5

http://iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/Sequenci
ngBatchReactor_R cycle where normally start of the
WAS
79
 Typical SBR Operation Cycle in Detail
Stage Scheme Aeration Description

Fill On/off  The fill operation consists of the addition of sewage and substrate for
microbial activity.
 The fill cycle can be controlled by float valves to a pre-established
volume or by timers for systems with more than one reactor. A simple
method that is ordinarily applied to control the fill cycle is based on the
volume of the reactor, resulting in fill times inversely related to the
influent flow.
 The fill phase can include several operational phases, and is subject to
several control modes, named static fill, fill with mixing, and fill with
reaction.
 The static fill involves the introduction of the influent without mixing or
aeration. This type of filling is more common in plants for nutrient
removal. In these applications, the static fill is followed by a fill with
mixing, so that the microorganisms are exposed to a sufficient amount
of substrate, while anoxic or anaerobic conditions are maintained. Both
mixing and aeration are performed in the fill with reaction stage.
 The system can alternate among static fill, fill with mixing and fill with
reaction throughout the operational cycle 80
 Typical SBR Operation Cycle in Detail
Stage Scheme Aeration Description

React On for  The objective of the reaction stage is to complete the reactions
carbon started during the fill stage.
removal  The reaction stage can comprise mixing, aeration or both. As in the
only case of the fill phase, the desired processes can require alternated
aeration cycles.
On/off for
 The duration of the reaction phase can be controlled by timers, by the
N removal
level of the liquid or by the degree of treatment, through the
monitoring of the reactor.
 Depending on the amount and duration of the aeration during the fill
phase, there may or may not be a dedicated reaction phase.
 If total nitrogen removal and enhance phosphorus removal is included,
the, reaction phase will be adjusted to meet the anoxic and anaerobic
phases. Mixer will be activated during anoxic stage and anaerobic stage.

81
 Typical SBR Operation Cycle in Detail
Stage Scheme Aeration Description

Settle Off  The solids–liquid separation occurs during the sedimentation phase,
similar to the operation of a secondary sedimentation tank in a
conventional plant.
 The sedimentation in an intermittent system can be more efficient
than in a continuous-flow sedimentation tank, due to more quiescent
conditions of the liquid in a sequencing batch tank, with no
interference of liquids entering and leaving.

82
 Typical SBR Operation Cycle in Detail
Stage Scheme Aeration Description

Draw Off  The clarified effluent (supernatant) is removed during the draw phase.
 Drawing can be carried out by several mechanisms, the most frequently
used ones being floating or adjustable weirs.
 Some design will conduct WAS at the end of the decant where Idle
phase has not been included in the design.

Idle Off  The final phase is named idle, and is only used in applications with
several tanks.
 The main objective is to adjust the operational cycle of one reactor
with the operational cycle of another reactor.
 The time intended for the idle phase depends on the time required by
the preceding tank to complete its cycle.
 Wastage of excess sludge usually happens in this phase.

83
 Example of SBR Variants with IWK
Intermittent Demand Extended Aeration (IDEA)

75 out of 401 STP

are IDEA system.

RSTP Nusajaya-
Medini (JBT291)
DPE = 800,000
cPE = 711,485
Ref: Design approval date
https://liantadbir.com/en/processes/intermittentl
y-decanted-extended-aeration-idea/ = 20/10/2010
T/O date = 15/5/2014

84
 Example of SBR Variants with IWK
Cyclic Activated Sludge Technology (C-Tech) SBR
Tips: normally incorporated with Selector 1. RSTP Georgetown
(PEG227)
DPE = 800,000
cPE = 711,485
T/O date = 11/11/2010

2. RSTP KL-Titiwangsa 2
(KLR403)
DPE = 750,000
cPE = 217330
Design approval date =
Ref: https://sfcenvironment.com/c-tech-
process 20/8/2014
T/O date = 16/3/2018
85
Ref: 1. IWK Asset Data Based Mar 2021
 Example of SBR Variants with IWK
Intermittent Continuous Extended Aeration System (ICEAS)
RSTP Hulu
Langat-Kajang
Utama (HLT010)
DPE = 750,000
cPE = 217330
Design approval
date =
https://www.xylem.com/en-us/products-
services/treatment-products- 22/9/2011
systems/biological-treatment-
processes/sequential-batch-reactor- T/O date =
sbr/iceas-advanced-sbr-d3f8bba3/
24/4/1995

86
 SBR Working Concept
Schematic representation of SBR
VT = Total Volume of tank
Max. Water Level
VF = Volume of sewage that filled and
decant out from the SBR tank
VF
V0 = Stationary Volume, holds of treated
Min. Water Level water and settled sludge
VT
Clear zone VS = Volume of Sludge that remain in the
V0 tank after settling
Clear zone = supernatant allowed to avoid
Vs any TSS carrier during decanting
Settled Sludge

87
SBR System Operation Fundamental
TWL

BWL

Hydraulic Level Profile

SBR_1 Overflow Level

TWL Hydraulic
Capacity

Sludge Blanket Profile

BWL
Fill + Aeration Settling Decanting
WAS
RAS: during Fill + Aeration Phase

SBR_2 Overflow Level

Biological
TWL Capacity

BWL

88
 SBR System in Nutshell
SBR_1

TWL Overflow Level

Aeration capacity must also be

increased due to aeration fraction (
treaction / tcycle) = 0.5 of the total
cycle.
Sludge Blanket Profile

BWL
Fill + Aeration Settling Decanting

SBR_2 RAS: during Fill + Aeration Phase

TWL
Overflow Level

BWL

89
SBR Towards BNR Removal
1. One of activated sludge system
2. No issue in the BNR removal – similar design considerations as AS
3. Added operation function into the cycle

90
 Conventional SBR Reaction Cycle
BOD Removal with nitrification
Example of 4 hr cycle per tank and 6 cycle per day.
Process 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Common Tank no.1
Fill
operation hours for Aerate
Settle
SBR system could Decant

be from 2 to 6 Tank no.2

Fill
hours. Aerate
Settle
Decant

Example of 6 hr cycle per tank and 4 cycle per day.

MSIG Vol. 4, pg. Process 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Tank no.1
xx allowed for 4 to Fill
Aerate
6 hours cycle Settle
Decant
reaction time.
Tank no.2
Fill
Aerate
Settle
Decant
91
 SBR Reaction Cycle For Various Application
Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR)
Cycle /Hour 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Tank 1
Fill
Aerate/AX
Settle
Decant

Tank 2
Fill
Aerate
Settle
Decant

Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR)

Cycle /Hour 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Tank 1
Fill/AN
Aerate/AX
Settle
Decant

Tank 2
Fill/AN
Aerate/AX
Settle
Decant

Tank 3
Fill/AN
Aerate/AX
Settle
Decant 92
SBR Process
Design

93
 Process Design Considerations SBR System
a) SBR system can be design and flexible in operation requirement
b) Operation design mode of SBR system
i. Conventional mode, with no nutrient removal
ii. Conventional mode, with nutrient removal
iii. Extended aeration mode, with nutrient removal
Sludge Retention F/M Ratio SRT Cycle Time
Time
Conventional 4–6 days 4 to 6 hours
mode, with no
nutrient removal
Conventional 8–10 days 0.25 – 0.5 10 to 15 days 6- 8 hrs
mode, with (However, depends
nutrient removal on the system
Extended aeration 20–25 days 0.05 – 0.1 > 20 days design, i.e. SND)
mode, with
nutrient removal 94
SBR Towards BNR Removal
1. One of activated sludge system
2. No issue in the BNR removal – similar design considerations as AS
3. Added operation function into the cycle

95
SBR Towards Flexibility
 Changing mixing conditions
Considering and
 Changing cycle time incorporated in the SBR
design – specially in the
 Changing SRT control control logic

96
Process Design of SBR System
Define basic Process Physical Verify physical
design data assumption arrangement assumption
(Inf, eff, flow, (MLSS, SRT, F/M (# tanks, cycle (Water depth, tank
safety factor) ratio, kinetic etc) time) volume etc)

Determine air
requirement
Determine Verify BNR process Verify assumption

(O2 for carbon and

sludge (nitrification &
(process prove of
SRT, MLVSS,
nitrification) production denitrification)
compliance)

Determine
Determine
equipment
instrumentation
(aeration system control
mixer, pump,
(DO, MLSS, ORP,
decanter)
97
 Process Design Considerations SBR System
MSIG Vol 4 SBR Process Design In SBR Process Design In SBR Process Design In
Accordance to Accordance to Biological Accordance to
Wastewater Engineering Wastewater Treatment Wastewater Treatment
Treatment and Resource in Warm Climate and Reuse, Theory and
Recovery, Fifth Edition, Regions, Volume II, Design Example, Volume
Volume 1, Geoorge Marcos von Sperling 1, Principal and Basic
Tchobanoglous Treatment, Syed R.
Qasim and Guang Zhu
Fill volume Vfill = Qavg x Tfill Vfill = Qavg / total cycle Vfill = Qavg / total cycle Vfill = Qavg x Tfill
per cycle Vfill = (Qpeak x 1.5) +
(Tfill – 1.5) x Qavg
Decant ≤ 30% of Volume of 30% of Volume of reactor From calculation Page From calculation Page
volume reactor at TWL at TWL 1038, Vfill is at 35% of 10-99, Vfill is at 12% of
TWL TWL
In any of the design decant volume = fill volume
Cycle Time Total cycle time, TC = Total cycle time, TC = Total cycle time = To +
Tfill + Treact + Tsettle + Tfill + Treact + Tsettle + Tfill
T Decant + Tidle (optional) T Decant + Tidle (optional) Operating Time (To) =
Treact + Tsettle + T
Tfill = Treact + Tsettle + 𝑉
Tfill = 𝑇𝐶 (𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡) Decant + T idle
T Decant 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
1
Tfill = 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑘 −1 ∗ 𝑇98𝑂
 Process Design Considerations SBR System
MSIG Vol 4 SBR Process Design In SBR Process Design In SBR Process Design In
Accordance to Wastewater Accordance to Biological Accordance to Wastewater
Engineering Treatment Wastewater Treatment in Treatment and Reuse,
and Resource Recovery, Warm Climate Regions, Theory and Design
Fifth Edition, Volume 1, Volume II, Marcos von Example, Volume 1,
Geoorge Tchobanoglous Sperling Principal and Basic
Treatment, Syed R. Qasim
and Guang Zhu
# of tanks Min 2 Min 2 Min 2 Min 2
SRT 10 to 30 days Example shows 26.5days Example selected 25 days Example shows 29 days
Depends on preferable design operation mode, CAS or EA but c/w proven design data.
Mostly selected to be operated as EA mode
F/M Ratio 0.05 - 0.30 d-1 Example shows 0.06 d-1 Example shows 0.10 d-1 Example shows 0.07 d-1

Depends on preferable design operation mode, CAS or EA but c/w proven design data.
Mostly selected to be operated as EA mode
HRT 18 to 24 hrs Example shows 30hrs Example shows 31 hrs Example shows 25 hrs

The design must cater for peak flow as worst case scenario of the flow pattern

99
 Process Design Considerations SBR System
MSIG Vol 4 SBR Process Design In SBR Process Design In SBR Process Design In
Accordance to Wastewater Accordance to Biological Accordance to
Engineering Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Wastewater Treatment
Resource Recovery, Fifth in Warm Climate and Reuse, Theory and
Edition, Volume 1, Geoorge Regions, Volume II, Design Example, Volume
Tchobanoglous Marcos von Sperling 1, Principal and Basic
Treatment, Syed R.
Qasim and Guang Zhu
Oxygen 2.0 kg O2/kg 𝑅𝑜 = 𝑄 𝑆0 − 𝑆 − 1.42𝑃𝑋,𝑏𝑖𝑜 + 4.57𝑄(𝑁𝑂𝑥 )
requirement substrate To meet the BNR requirement, the above air requirement is adopted in all ref books.
Designer is to verify the final O2 provided in kgO2/kg substrate removal
Included for Carbon Removal and Nitrification in the system
To also compare with mixing requirement
Sludge yield 0.75 - 1.10 kg Example shows 0.75kgSS/KG Example shows
sludge / kg BOD BOD load 0.68kgTSS/kg BOD laod
load

SVI Selection Not mentioned 150mL/g Not specific but 120mL/g

calculating the settling
time required
Normally used to determine the settling performance of the SBR system. Preferable
between 100 to 150mL/g. If > 150mL/g commonly occur sludge builking and TSS100
overflow
 SBR Towards BNR Removal
Process design must including the following:
a) SRT for nitrification and denitrification
b) Timing for nitrification – to prove the selected react time is sufficient for
nitrification – example from Wastewater Engineering Treatment and
Resource Recovery, Fifth Edition, Volume 1, Geoorge Tchobanoglous, pg
780 or as per IWK’s in house design
- nitrification occur during aeration time (Treact)
- Air provided to include for nitrification requirement
1.2 to 1.6kg O2 / Kg BOD removal
4.57kgO2 / kg NH4-N removal
c) Timing for denitrification – to prove process design incorporated with
denitrification, allocation for anoxic zone
d)

101
 Local Research Study
 Low DO with long SRT operation will provide the best nitrogen removal
conditions
 However the design of the plant shall meets the requirement and allowing
operator for the optimization but not to design lower than the theoretical
needs

102
Equipment
Design of SBR

103
 Aeration System Design
Important in SBR design as it takes up 60 to 70% of total energy consumption
of a STP
Consists of:
a) Blower
b) Air Header / piping
c) Diffuser
Important considerations:
a) Type of blowers
b) Air header sizing, branches, valves,
pipe materials, connecter, purge pipe
c) Type of diffuser, diffuser arrangement

Source: https://aerasyst.com/en/products/elements
104
 Blower Selection
Commonly higher air flow rate require for SBR – batch air produce to
remove same load of organic as continuous flow system
Air required divided by number of cycle and aeration time selected.
𝑄 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
𝑄 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 =
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑥 𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑

Important considerations for blower selection:

a) Roots blower – blower capacity in accordance to the Q suction of
the blower, designer to convert Q discharge (at diffuser point) to Q
suction (at suction point)
b) Turbo blower – SOR will be used to determine the blower capacity
c) Considering of VFD for bigger sizing, normally > 25kw

105
 Roots Blower Selection

Qdischarge at the diffuser

need to convert into Q
suction (Qs) Qd

𝑄𝑑 𝑥 𝑃 + 𝑃𝑑 𝑥(273 + 𝑇𝑠
𝑄𝑠 =
𝑃 𝑥 (273 + 𝑇𝑑)
where,
Pressure at standard condition P = 1.0332kgf/cm2
= 0.0981 x h x SG20 (Pd in bar)
Diffusers' submergence h = -0.30m
(according to installation as per drawing)
Specific gravity of sewage at
20oC SG20 = 1.204
Pd = -0.035bar
= -0.04kgf/cm2
Temperature at suction point Ts = 20.00oC
Temperature at discharged point Td = 28.00oC

106
 Air Piping Arrangement
Consist of: Design considerations:
a) Various diameter sizing d) Elbows and fitting a) Head loss between last
across header e) Manifolds air splitter to furthest
b) Valves, f) Air diffuser diffuser < head loss
c) Flow meter across diffuser
b) Common head loss in
pipe header = 5 – 20
cm of water
c) Head loss among
diffuser = 25 – 50cm of
water
Designer should provide
the detailed of design
accordingly.
Source: Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Theory and Design
Example, Volume 1, Principal and Basic Treatment, Syed R. 107
Qasim and Guang Zhu, pg 10-164
Diffuser Arrangement

Typical diffuser layouts: (a) grid, (b) cross roll, (c) dual spiral roll, (d) mid-width roll, and (e) single spiral roll.
Diffuser Arrangement type Requirement for Good Mixing
Spiral roll patterns (b-e) 20 – 30 mins per 1000m3 tank volume
Grid pattern 10 – 15 mins per 1000m3 tank volume

Air calculation shall be for both organic removal and mixing requirement
and whichever higher.
Source: Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, Theory and Design Example, Volume 1, Principal and Basic Treatment, Syed 108
R. Qasim and Guang Zhu, pg 10-154
 Aeration System
a) Typical required air diffuser to be located 1m center to center, shall not
more than 1.5 meter as center to center arrangement.
b) Diffuser supplier normally able to provide good layout on the spread of
diffusers with tank configuration provided.
c) Good layout of diffuser will help to:
i. Provide energy saving
ii. Longer life span of diffusers
iii. Increase system performance efficiency

Source: Wastewater Treatment and

Reuse, Theory and Design Example,
Volume 1, Principal and Basic Treatment,
Syed R. Qasim and Guang Zhu, pg 10-164

109
 Decanter
Volume of decant, Vdecant = Volume of fill, Vfill
𝑉𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑄𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 =
𝑇𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡

Maximum surface overflow rate due to withdrawal or decant flow during the
decant cycle, m3/m2/d
𝑄𝐷
𝑆𝑂𝑅𝐷 =
𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝐵𝑅

Effluent weir length with the weir loading rate from supplier, currently in the
market is from 90m3/m2/d to 120 m3/m2/d

110
Instrumentation
Design of SBR

111
 Instrumentation in SBR System
Instrument Function Location
Flow meter To measure the flow entering the reactor Incoming to reactor
Level Sensor To measure the height of the flow and End of reactor
control the feed and discharge
Can also on and off the deflector or
Dissolve Oxygen Meter To measure the DO provided in the plant Center and Middle of the tank
Controlling the blower with VFD
ORP Meter To measure the change of electron to ensure Center and Middle of the tank
the appropriate process is happening at the
desired controlling time
MLSS Meter To measure the MLSS level in the reactor and Center and Middle of the tank
controlling the WAS for SRT or F/M ratio
controlling
Sludge flow meter To measure the sludge removed from the Sludge piping
reactor

112
Example of SBR Design

113
Example of SBR Design

Only provided with DO

and pH meter

114
PLC Control
Design of SBR

115
 Control System of SBR
In general, the control system consists of the PLC and an operator interface, which will be the
human machine interface (HMI) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) - contains the logic to operate the process equipment when the
equipment is in automatic control. The PLC sends and receives signals and is connected to a modem
for remote access.
Operator Interface – HMI (PanelView Plus) - operator interface that communicates with the PLC to
display the system status, allow set point adjustments, and perform alarm handling. The HMI
provides a graphic display of the process parameters and equipment status. From the alarm screens
the operator will be able to acknowledge and clear faults.
Operator Interface – SCADA System - software that is located on a desktop personal computer (PC).
The SCADA system is an additional operator interface and graphical representation of the plant-wide
control. From the SCADA system, the operator can navigate through the display screens to monitor
and make setpoint changes. From the alarm screen, the operator can acknowledge, clear, and reset
faults. The SCADA system will also perform data trending of various process parameters selected by
the operator and has report preparation capabilities
116
 Example of PLC Control – Air Valve Control

NOTE: Two (2) interlocks exist between the air valve and the decanter. The air valve is allowed to open if the
decanter meets one of the following conditions: 1.) the decanter has reached the park position OR 2.) the decanter
has been raising fora minimum of four (4) minutes in the “auto” position AND the decanter is not faulted.

117
Structure
Design of SBR

118
 Bottom Slope of SBR Basin

 All structure basin shall complete with slightly sloped to one corner to
allow for hosing unit
 Suggested also to provide a drain and sump for routine tank
maintenance and ease of cleaning
 The design shall allow for completely emptying for all grit, debris and
liquid and sludge.

119
Supplementary
to SBR

120
 Equalization Tank (EQ Tank)
 Equalised the hydraulic and organic loading variations so that a relatively
constant flow rate organic loading may be maintained
 Benefits of EQ tank:
1) overcome the operational problems caused by the flow variations,
2) reduce the surge through the units,
3) equalize the strength, and dilute toxic inhibitory constituents, and maintain
uniform concentrations and pH,
4) improve the performance of the process, and
5) reduce the size and cost of treatment facilities
 Two types
(1) in-line - entire flow is passed through the equalization basin. A constant
flow is pumped from the basin
(2) off-line - only the excess flow rate is diverted to the equalization basin and
is rerouted through the plant under low flow situations

121
 Equalization Tank (EQ Tank)
In-line EQ tank,
commonly applied for
SBR and package plant

Off-line EQ tank,
currently applied at
Pantai 2 STP
Volume = (Qpeak – Q
average) Time
Reference: SBR Process Design In Accordance to Wastewater
Treatment and Reuse, Theory and Design Example, Volume 1,
Principal and Basic Treatment, Syed R. Qasim and Guang Zhu,
2018 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

122
 Selector
 HRT – 20 to 60 mins
 Located at the beginning of process aeration tank.
 Purpose of the selector are:
a) To create a condition that favours the growth of floc-foaming bacteria
b) Suppress the growth of filamentous bacteria that cause sludge bulking
c) Increase sludge settling performance
d) Increase AS treatment performance with higher MLSS concentration
 Three (3) different types:
a) Aerobic
b) Anoxic
c) Anaerobic

123
 Selector - Aerobic
One of the selectors possible is a
series of aerated mixed tanks in
which influent is mixed with return
sludge Typically, a high F/M ratio is
applied. Oxygen concentrations in
these types of selectors are
preferably high.
An SBR type of system can act also
very effective with selector,
depending on wastewater strength
and feeding strategy.

Source:
https://courses.edx.org/c4x/Delft Aerobic Anoxic
X/CTB3365STx/asset/W4d_Slid
esTekst.pdf Selector Zone F/M O2 Transfer rate, F/M
gBOD/gMLSS.D gO2/g.h gBOD/gMLSS.D
1 12 15-35 6
2 6 15-35 3
3 3 15-35 1.5 124
Selector - Anoxic

Source: https://courses.edx.org/c4x/DelftX/CTB3365STx/asset/W4d_SlidesTekst.pdf

Organisms that are associated with nutrient removal, will often

grow as floc formers. Therefore, introducing anoxic selectors is
also vey effective as a prevention of bulking sludge.

125
 Selector - Anaerobic
Stimulate the growth of non
filamentous phosphate
accumulating organisms or
PAO.
The filamentous organisms
are not able to consume
substrate under anaerobic
circumstances, while the PAO
can do that. Therefore, less
substrate will be available for
filaments.
Source: https://courses.edx.org/c4x/DelftX/CTB3365STx/asset/W4d_SlidesTekst.pdf

126
 Chlorination Tank
Volume according to QDecant. Instead of Qpeak
1. Based on Qpeak which is < Qdecant.
2. Overflow at chlorination tank is always notice.
3. Chlorination process may not complete due to shorter contact
time.

127
128
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WATER
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t 03 2780 1100
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