Example 4.

1
a. Design suitable dimensions of circular trickling filter units for treating 5
million liters of sewage per day. The BOD of sewage is 150mg/l.
b. Also design suitable dimensions for its rotary distribution system, as well as
the under-drainage system.
Solution
Total BOD present in sewage to be treated per day
¿ 5∗150 kg=750 kg
Assuming the value of organic loading is 1500kg/ha-m/day [i.e. between 900 to
2200kg/ha-m/day],
The volume of filtering-media required
750
¿ ha−m=0.5 ha−m=5000 m3
1500
Assuming the effective depth of filter as 2m,
The surface area of the filter required
5000
¿ =2500 m2 .
2
Using a circular trickling filter of diameter 40m,
The number of units required
Total area required 2500
¿ = ≈ 2 units
Areaof one unit π
∗402
4
Check for Hydraulic loading
The surface area of the filter bed required can also be worked out by assuming
the value of hydraulic loading, say as, 25 million litres per hectare per day
(between 22 to 44ML/ha/day)
Surface area required
¿ Total sewage ¿ be treated per day ¿
Hydraulic loading per day
5
¿ ∗10,000=2000 m 2
25
The surface area chosen is 2500m 2, which is greater than 2000sq. m, and hence
safe.
Hence, 2 units each of 40m diameter and 2m effective depth (i.e. 2.6m overall
depth), can be adopted. An extra third unit as stand-by may also be constructed.
Design of Rotary Distributors

1
Rotary distributors, as said earlier, are to be designed for peak flow, which may
be considered as 2.25 times the average flow.
Peak sewage flow per day
¿ 2.25∗5 ML /day=11.25 ML /day=0.13 m 3 /sec
This flow is divided into two filter units; and, therefore,
Flow through each unit at peak flow
¿ 0.065 m3 /sec
Assuming that the velocity at peak flow is 2m/sec through the central column of
the distributor,
The diameter of the central column
0.065

√
∗1
2
¿ =0.2 m
π
4
Provide a central column of 0.2m in diameter, but check the velocity through the
column at average flow, as it should not be less than 1m/sec or so.
Check for velocity at average flow
Discharge through each unit at average flow
5
¿ ML/day=2.5 ML /day=0.029 m 3 /sec
2
Velocity at average flow
0.029
¿ =0.92 m/sec
π
∗0.22
4
Since the velocity at average flow becomes slightly less than the minimum
permissible of 1m/sec, we should reduce the adopted diameter slightly. Let us use
0.19m diameter, then
The velocity at average flow
0.029
¿ =1.023 m/sec >1 m/sec ; permissible
π 2
∗0.19
4
The velocity at peak flow will then be
0.065
¿ =2.29 m/sec
π
∗0.192
4
Hence, we may use a central column of 0.19m in diameter. If, however, the
central column of 0.19m in diameter is not available, we may permit 0.2m (8")

2
diameter central column, as the velocity at average flow is quite near the
allowable minimum value.
Design of Arms
Let us use rotary reaction spray type distributor with 4 arms.
Then, the discharge per arm
0.065 3
¿ m /sec =0.016 m 3 /sec
4
Diameter of filter used = 40m.
Arm length
40−2
¿ =19 m
2
We can use each arm of 19m length with its size reducing from near the central
column towards the end. The first two sections, each of 6m length, and the third
section of 7m length, can be used.
The flow in the arms has to be adjusted in the proportion of the filter area covered
by these lengths of arm. Therefore, the area covered by the different lengths of
arm is calculated first.
Let A1, A2, and A3 be the circular filter areas covered by each length of arm,
starting from the central column. Allowing for 0.3m diameter in centre to be used
for central column, etc., these areas would be:
A1=π ( r 22−r 21 ) =π ( 6.152 −0.152 )=118.69 m2
A2=π ( 12.152−6.152 )=344.77 m2
A3 =π ( 20 2−12.152 )=792.5 m 2
Total area of filter (A)
¿ π ( 202−0.152 ) =1256 m 2 Check!
Proportionate areas served by each section of arm (numbered from the centre
towards the end) are worked out as:
st A 1 118.69
1 = = =9.45 %
A 1256
nd A 2 344.77
2 = = =27.45 %
A 1256
rd A3 792.5
3 = = =63.1 %
A 1256
Full discharge through an arm, i.e., 0.016m 3/sec, will flow through the first
section, and this will go on reducing through the second and third sections.

3
(i) Design of 1st section
Discharge = 0.016m3/sec
Assuming the velocity through the arm as 1.2 m/sec,
0.016
The area required= =0.0133 m 2
1.2
0.0133
Diameter require=

(ii) Design of second section

√π
4
=0.13 m=130 mm

Discharge through the second section

100−9.45
¿ ( 100−9.45 ) %∗0.016= ∗0 016=0.0145 m 3 /sec
100
Q 0.0145
Arearequire= = =0.012 m 2
V 1.2
0.012
Diameter required=

(iii) Design of third section

√ π
4
=0.124 m=124 mm

Discharge through the third section

63.1
¿ ( 100−9.45−27.45 ) %∗0.016= ∗0 016=0.010 m3 / sec
100
0.010
Diameter required=
√
1.2∗π
4
=0.103 m=103 mm

Each arm length can thus be made of three sections, i.e. first 6m from centre to be
130mm diameter, next 6m of 124mm diameter, and the last 7m of 103mm diameter.
If economy is not much affected, and or if different sized pipes are difficult to join,
then the entire arm length may be kept of 130mm diameter; or the first 12m may be
kept of 130mm diameter, and the last 7m of 103mm diameter.
Design of Orifices
Each arm section will be provided with different number of orifices, depending upon
the discharge to be passed through each section.
Total discharge through each arm = 0.016m3/sec.
Assuming that 10mm diameter orifices are provided with coefficient of discharge
(Cd) being 0.65,
The discharge through each orifice with an assumed water head, causing flow, as
1.5m,

4
 0.65∗π
¿ C d∗A∗√ 2 gh= ∗(0.01)2∗√ 2∗9.81∗1.5=2.768∗10− 4 m3 / sec
4
Total number of orifices through each arm
Total discharge through each arm 0.016
¿ = ≈ 58
Discharge through each orifice 2.768∗10−4
Hence, use a total of 58 orifices in the arm; the number of orifices in each section of
the arm is given as:
Number of orifices through the first section
9.45
¿ ∗58 ≈ 5
100
Number of orifices through the second section
27.45
¿ ∗58 ≈16
100
Number of orifices through the third section
63.1
¿ ∗58≈ 37
100
Spacing of orifices can be
6
In the first section, 5 number in 6m length, i.e. @ =1.2 mc /c
5
6
In the second section, 16 numbers in 6m length, i.e. @ =0.375 m c /c
16
7
In the third section, 37 numbers in 7m length, i.e. =0.189 m c /c
37
Design of Under-drainage System
Total discharge through each filter unit at peak flow = 0.065m3/sec.
Let us design the under-drainage system with a central rectangular channel, fed by
radial laterals discharging into the channel. The under-drain block lengths, containing
semi-elliptical openings, can be used as laterals.
The size and slope of the rectangular effluent channel should be such as to allow, say
a velocity of 1m/sec through it (min. = 0.9m/sec).
Discharge 0.065
Areaof channel= = =0.065 m 2
velocity l
Using 0.225m width,
0.065
Its depth= =0.288 m≈ 0.3 m
0.225
The slope of the bed of this channel S, is given by:
1
Q= ∗A∗R2 /3∗S 1/ 2
N

5
Where, N = Manning's Coefficient = 0.018 (assumed)
A=0.225 m∗0.3 m=0.0675 m 2
A 0.0675
R= = =0.082
P ( 0.225+0.3+0.3)
1
0.065= ∗0.0675∗(0.082)2/3∗S 1 /2
0.018
0.065
S1 /2=
0.706
1
S=
117.9
Hence, use a central effluent channel, 0.225m (9") in width and 0.3m (12") in
depth below the bottom level of laterals. The channel may be laid at a slope of 1 in
118.
The under-drain block lengths can be placed in rows, discharging into the effluent
channel. The radial under-drains may be laid at a slope of 1 in 40.
Let us use 10cm (4") diameters, semi-circular under-drain blocks. These laterals
should be designed to run approximately half-full, so as to ensure proper
ventilation. Let us assume that laterals run at a depth of 0.3D, where D is the
diameter of circle of which the lateral section is a semi-circle. Then
q=0.196∗Q
a=0.252∗A
1
Q= ∗A∗R2 /3∗S 1/ 2
N
Therefore, Q through a circular sewer of D = 0.1m is given by:
1
∗π∗(0.1)2
0.013 0.1 2 /3 1 1 /2
Q=
4 ( ) ( )
∗
4
∗
40
3
=0.00815 m / sec

q=0.196∗0.00815=0.0016 m 3 /sec
Discharge through the filter
¿ 0.065 m3 /sec
Discharge through each lateral
¿ 0.0016 m 3 /sec
Number of laterals required
0.065
¿ =40
0.0016
So, use 40 laterals in all laid radially in the circular filter tank of 40m in diameter.
Velocity through the lateral at peak flow

6
 q 0.0016
¿ = =0.81 m/s> 0.75(required)
a 0.252∗π 2
∗(0.1)
4
Velocity at average flow:
0.0016
q at average flow = =0.00071 m3 / sec
2,25
qav 0.00071
= =0.087
Q 0.00815
q d a
For of 0.087, from table 4.8, =0.2 = and =0.143
Q D A
a av =0.143∗A
q av 0.00071
v av= = =0.632m/sec > 0.5 m/ sec (required). ok
a av 0.143∗π 2
∗(0.1)
4
Hence, use 40 semi circular radial laterals, of 10cm diameter each discharging into
the effluent channel (at a slope of 1 in 40).

Example 4.2
A town having a population of 30,000 persons is producing the following sew
ages:
(i) Domestic sewage @ 120 lpcd having 200mg/l of BOD.
(ii) Industrial sewage@ 300,000 lpd having 800mg/l of BOD.
Design high rate single stage trickling filters for treating the above sewage.
Assuming that, the primary sedimentation removes 35% of BOD. Allow an
organic loading of 10,000kg/ha-m/day (excluding re-circulated sewage). The
recirculation ratio is 1.0; and the surface loading should not exceed 170Ml/ha/day
(including re-circulated sewage). Also determine the efficiency of the filter and the
BOD of the effluent.
Solution
Quantity of domestic sewage produced per day
¿ 120∗30,000liters /day=3.6 Ml/day
BOD for domestic sewage = 200mg/l
Total BOD of domestic sewage per day
¿ 3.6∗200 kg /day =720 kg/day
Quantity of industrial sewage produced per day = 300,000 liters.
BOD of industrial sewage = 800 mg/l
Total BOD of industrial sewage

7
 300,000∗800
¿ =240 kg
10 6
Total BOD of domestic as well as industrial sewage per day
¿ 720+240=960 kg /day
Out of this BOD, 35% is already removed in primary clarifier.
BOD to be removed by filter unit
¿ 960∗0.65=624 kg /day
Volume of filter media required
Total BOD removed 624
¿ = ha−m=624 m 3
Organic loading 10000
The total volume of sewage flowing
¿ 3.6∗106 +300,000 ¿=3.9∗106 l/day
A recirculation ratio of 1 means that the" volume of recirculated 15ewage
R=Original volume=3.9∗106 l /day
Total volume (i.e., original + recirculated)
¿ 2∗3.9∗106 l/day=7.8∗106 l/day
Filter area required
Total flow volume 7.8∗10 6 l /day 2
¿ = 6
=458.8 m
Surface loading 170∗10 l/ha . day
Diameter of the filter tank required
458.8∗4
¿
√π
=24.17 m

Hence, use, say, 24m diameter tank with area as = 452.16m2.

Depth of filter media required
Volume of filter media 624 m 3
¿ = =1.38 m
Surface area 452.16 m 2
Efficiency of this filter is given by Eq. (9.34) as:
100
(% )=
Y
1+ 0.0044
√
V∗F
Where, Y = Total organic loading, i.e., total BOD applied to filter in kg/day =
624kg/day
V = Volume of filter in ha-m
624
¿ =0.0624 ha−m
10,000
F = Recirculation factor

8
 R
1+
I
F= 2
0.1∗R
1+ (I )
Here R = I
1+1
F= =1.65
( 1+ 0.1∗1 )2
100
¿ =74.6 % .
624
1+ 0.0044

BOD of the effluent left

√
0.0624∗1.65

(100−74.6)
¿ ∗624=158.49 kg /day
100
Total volume of effluent = 3.9*106l/day
BOD concentration in the effluent
158.49∗106
¿ mg/l=40.6 mg/l
3.9∗106

Example 4-3
Design percolating filters with conical humus tanks for treating 7 million liters of
sewage per day.
Solution
We will design conventional trickling filters, with a hydraulic loading, 28Ml/ha/day
[i.e. 22 to 44].
Surface Area of the filter bed required
Using two equal sized circular tanks, we have the diameter of each tank
2500
¿
√
2
π
∗4
=39.9 m≈ 40 m

Hence, use two trickling filters, each of 40m diameter. A third extra unit as stand-by
unit may also be provided. The depth of the filter provided may be kept 2m or so.
Design of Conical Humus Tank
Assuming the detention period as 1.5 hours, the capacity of the tank required
7
¿ ∗1.5∗106 l=0.437 106 l=437 cu . m
24
The volume of each conical tank, such as shown in Fig. 9.26, is given by
.

9
 1
V= [ ]
3
∗π d 2
4
∗Depth

Using 4 Nos. with 7.5m depth of each tank, we have the total surface area required
for all 4 tanks
437
¿ =58.27 m 2
7.5
Diameter of' each tank (d) is given by
1
∗π d 2
3 58.27
=
4 4
d=7.46 m≈ 7.5 m
Hence, use 4 tanks with diameter 7.5m and height also as 7.5m. One additional tank
as stand-by unit may also be provided; thus, using 5 tanks in all.
P a g e | 10Example 4.4
An average operating data for conventional activated sludge treatment plant is as
follows:
(1) Wastewater flow
(2) Volume of aeration tank
(3) Influent BOD
(4) Effluent BOD
(5) Mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS)
(6) Effluent suspended solids
(7) Waste sludge suspended solids
(8) Quantity of waste sludge
Based on the information above data, determine:
(a) Aeration period (hrs)
(b) Food to microorganism ratio (F/M) (kg BOD per day/kg MLSS)
(c) Percentage efficiency of BOD removal
(d) Sludge age (days)
Solution
Given values are symbolized as:
Q = 35000m3/d V = 10900m3
Yo = 250mg/l YE = 20 mg/l
Xt = 2500mg/l XE = 30 mg/l
XR = 9700mg/l Qw = 220m3/d
These values are now used to calculate the desired factors, as below:

10
(a) Aeration period (t) in hr is given by Eq. (9.41) as
V 10,900
t= ∗24= ∗24=7.47 h ≈7.5 h
Q 35,000
(b) F/M ratio F = Mass of BOD removed
35000 x 250
¿ Q∗Y o=35000∗250 gm/day= kg/day =8750 kg /day
1000
M = Mass of MLSS
10900∗2500
¿ V∗X t =10900 m3∗2500 gm/m 3= kg=27 , 250 kg
1000
8750
F /M ratio= =0.32 kg BOD per day /kg of MLSS
27,250
(c) Percentage efficiency of BOD removal
Incoming BOD – Outgoing BOD 250−20
¿ = ∗100 %=92 %
Incoming BOD 250
(d) Sludge age in days (c) is given by Eq. (9.48) as:
V ∗X r
θc =
Q w ∗X R + ( Q−Q w )∗X E
27250 kg
¿ =8.58 days
3
m mg m3 m3
( 220 ∗9700
d l )(
+ 35000 −220
d d )
∗30 mg/l

11