Clarifier Optimization

 
 
   

Biological Products:

 

 

Bioaugmentation products for Wastewater applications in Papermills, Refineries, Chemical, Tanneries, Municipalities, Textiles, Steel, Agriculture, Animal feedlot,  Gun Powder plant, Food and Beverage- Dairy Products, Orange Juice factory, Wineries, Cookie factory, Vegetable processing plant, Meat packing, Barbecue Restaurant, Aquaculture, Ornamental Ponds for algae control, CAFO, Nursing homes, Military, Campgrounds, Universities, Regulatory agencies

 

 

Lab Services:

 

 

Filamentous Identification Lab Service. One reason to identify filaments is to determine the filaments characteristics and then determine the type present.  If the type is found out, a root cause can usually be associated with a particular filament.  If the cause is known, then a correction can be made to alleviate problems. Chlorination is only a quick fix.  Without process changes, filaments will grow back after chlorination.

Wastewater Biomass Analyses and Cooling Tower Analyses also available

 

Training Materials:

 

 

Training is an integral part of any job. Not everyone is at the same level of training. Many people want beginning concepts and basics. Some need technical information or troubleshooting. Some want equipment, technology or process information.

We have developed a full set of Basic training, Advanced training, Filamentous Identification the Easy Way as well as custom training CD's Manuals. We also provide hands-on training classes and soon will have an Online "E-University".

 

Audits and Consulting:

 

At Environmental Leverage® Inc., we have a team of experienced individuals who come into your plant with a fresh pair of eyes.  The system is checked from influent to effluent.  System optimization, equipment efficiency and operational excellence are key components explored. Key Benefits Equipment efficiency Total Cost of Operation reductions Reliability and safety

An onsite audit is conducted to examine system parameters, process controls, and current monitor and control procedures. A physical walk-through is conducted, process flow diagrams are examined, previous design criteria are examined and current standard operating procedures are evaluated along with data logs.

 

 


 

Clarifier Optimization

Latest News!

What's New!

We have just added "Virtual Audits" to our capabilities. Check out our new Services.  We are in the process of developing new courses for our ""Online E-University" in order to meet the needs of our global customers that cannot travel to our public classes.Visit our new website www.WastewaterElearning.com/Elearning

 

What does your clarifier look like?
Wastewater training information below on clarifier optimization.

 

oil in weirs Clean clarifier

Does your clarifier look like the ones on the left or the one on the right?

 

Did you know that the solids that go over the weirs could impact your final effluent BOD results along with the TSS?

 

False high BOD readings can occur if biological material or algae are present in a BOD sample. These will increase the final BOD reading and potentially increase your final effluent values, which, in turn can mean permit violations or surcharge increases.

algae clogging weirs cleaning weirs

 

Did you know that algae on the clarifier weirs could increase your BOD?

Small amounts of maintenance or regular cleaning can significantly impact the final effluent quality.
Do you know if you have short circuiting or solids build-up in your clarifier?

 

clarifier solids solids in clarifier

 

Well, if you have islands floating around in your clarifier, or plant growth, that is a sure sign that some changes need to be made.

settleometerHow do you optimize your clarifier?

The two easiest tools to optimize and control a clarifier are a settleometer and a sludge judge.

The sludge judge (or core sampler) is used to measure the blanket at the bottom of the clarifier. The settleometer is used for two reasons- to give you a quick and easy indication of how long the solids take to settle in the clarifier. If it takes 3 hours to completely settle in the jar and you only 1-2 hours in your clarifier, many of your solids will carry over the weirs due to insufficient settling.

 

If it takes 20 minutes to settle, and inversely, you have 6-8 hours in the clarifier, obviously you are holding the solids too long. You will sooner or later float solids or the whole bed to the top and possible over the weirs.

 

Sludge Blanket Depth

Sludge blanket depth in the clarifier should be measured at the same time each day. The best time is during the period of maximumsludge judge daily flow, because the clarifier is operating under the highest solids loading rate. Adjustments in the RAS flow rate should be adjusted according to the influent changes and age of the biomass.

 

An additional advantage of monitoring the sludge blanket depth is that problems, such as improperly operating sludge collection equipment, will be observed due to irregularities in the blanket depth. A plugged pick-up on a clarifier sludge collection system would cause sludge depth to increase in the area of the pick-up, and decrease in the areas where the properly operating pick-ups are located. These irregularities in sludge blanket depth are easily monitored by measuring profiles of blanket depth across the clarifier.

 

 

clarifier testingWhy does it matter how long I hold the solids?

 

Holding primary influent or effluent and associated solids too long generally causes not only septic conditions, which can generates odors, but also generates low D.O. conditions. Low D.O. conditions cause the bacteria to generate specific compounds with sulfides and/or organic acids. Holding times of influent should always be kept to a minimum. Generation of septic conditions can also contribute to ashing in the clarifier, since the solids are turning anaerobic in the bottom of the clarifier and generate gases that cause clumps of solids to float to the top. This increases solids carryover.

 

 These conditions usually lead to the growth of excessive levels of filaments later on in the aerobic biological portion of the system. Sometimes, anaerobic sludge is sent to the primary clarifier via the belt press supernatant. This can also lead to an increase in septic conditions in a primary clarifier, since you are seeding the system with bacteria that like to grow in anaerobic or facultative conditions.

 

One way to tell if the solids are being held too long in the clarifier is if there is ashing onashing in clarifier the clarifier or gassing.

Ashing occurs when little pieces of floc float up to the top of the clarifier due to trapped air bubbles in the floc. This is usually caused by the biological formation of H2S or N2 gas when the floc is held too long in the clarifier and runs out of O2.

 

gassing on clarifierThe bacteria do not stop growing in a clarifier unless there is no more food. If the conditions are not right, many problems are caused.

Gassing can be visible, and usually precludes ashing. Generation of H2S gassing can cause major safety issues.

 

How do I make sure that the conditions are right in the clarifier?

Primary clarifiers are a bit different that secondary clarifiers, but the concepts are still the same. Neither clarifier is sterile. There are bacteria in both places. Both usually have BOD present and bacteria present. Both are places where biological activity occurs and this is often overlooked. A primary clarifier is supposed to pull out as many solids as possible to alleviate some of the BOD loading on the secondary system. Primary Clarifiers are typically upstream from additional water treatment unit processes such as filters or Activated sludge systems. Any actions that can be taken at the clarifier which reduce the suspended solids loading and BOD loading on the Activated sludge can help to improve the efficiency of the downstream unit. Primary clarifiers always have high BOD loadings.

clarifier

Table 2 - Typical design parameters for primary clarifiers in municipal treatment

     

Hydraulic Loading

Type of Treatment

Average

Peak

Depth

   

gpd/ft2

Ft

Primary settling followed by

secondary treatment

Primary settling with waste activated sludge return

800-1200

 

600-800

2000-3000

 

1200-1500

 

10-12

 

12-15

 

The best way to assess the operational performance of a primary clarifier is to review the treatment efficiency for suspended solids removal. If the clarifier shows erratic or inconsistent results, look for hydraulic loading increases (calculated as gallons per day per square foot; m3/day/m2). If the efficiency of removal for suspended solids does not average 40-50%, or BOD averages of 20-30%, over an extended period of time, look for turbulence in the basin or other operational deficiencies.

 

Polymer programs can allow an increase in removal of suspended solids at the existing unit loadings.  This is a short term band-aid since it can add extra loading to the system.

 

Some plants add Alum or Ferric to remove fines and ash particles in a primary also. This is not the best thing to do, since many times alum creates large, fluffy floc.  This also can remove too much phosphorus and cause a nutrient deficiency. See troubleshooting newsletter on Alum and Ferric.

 

Wastewater test kitSecondary Clarifiers are a bit easier to optimize
A secondary clarifier is meant to not only settle the solids and allow clear water to flow over the weirs, but it is also meant to be a thickener. It’s purpose is to thicken the biological solids for two reasons. To be able to return some of the solids back to the aerated portion of the system for more BOD degradation, but to also thicken the solids so that dewatering is easier.
By thinking of the clarifier as an extension of the Aeration Basin, where continued biological degradation and final polishing of the water and bacterial floc occurs, the system can be optimized easier. Polymer usage in a secondary clarifier can be cut back significantly or eliminated with the right optimization.

 

The performance of secondary wastewater treatment systems is determined by comparing the quality of the overflow from secondaryBOD bottles clarifiers to that of the incoming wastewater. The biological treatment unit converts some of the soluble and insoluble organics to suspended organic solids. However, the treatment process is successful only if these organic solids are removed in the secondary clarifiers. Secondary clarifier operational variables have the most critical effect on overall plant performance.

 

One way is to optimize what is occurring in the activated sludge portion of the system and correlate those parameters to what is going on in both portions of the system.

 

Acceptable Environmental Parameters for Biological Activity:

There are 5 critical measurements in our wastewater training. I call it "The Critical 5".

These parameters should be monitored and controlled to effectively run a biological treatment plant efficiently;

Temperature, D.O., Ammonia, Ortho-phosphate and pH
PARAMETER                                 ACCEPTABLE                        OPTIMUM
Dissolved Oxygen                                     >0.5 mg/l                                        1.0 - 2.0 mg/l
Temperature                                               40 - 95 F                                      77 - 95 ◦ F
pH                                                                 7.0 - 9.5                                         7.5 - 8.5
Ammonia Residual                                      1.0 - 3.0 mg/l                                 2.0 - 3.0 mg/l
Ortho-phosphate Residual                       0.5 - 2.0 mg/l                                1.0 - 2.0 mg/l

 

Residual should be measured in the final effluent also, unless limited by permit restrictions.

 

COD testingIf these are measured as residuals in the final effluent, then this ensures that the conditions in the clarifier have met the requirements for the bacteria to continue to grow in the clarifier and continue any final polishing off of BOD. This also ensures that the floc that is sent to dewatering is in the best condition and will minimize the amount of polymer needed. By following these guidelines, the use of polymers in the clarifier should be minimal and the returned sludge is ready now to be returned for more BOD degradation back in the Aeration basin.

 

Sometimes the use of Biological additives in the aeration basin can optimize a system and product better solids and better BOD or TSS removal if needed. Sludge reduction, especially if in a municipal wastewater treatment plant can significantly cut back costs on solids handling when a small bioaugmentation program is implemented. Due to the wide variations in influent changes of a some plants, a small daily maintenance dose of bacteria can significantly cut back costs on polymer, while increasing the quality of the final effluent. Biological products Wastewater Treatment Plants

 

Ask how a Biological Maintenance Program or Sludge Reduction Wastewater Training Program can help you improve your system and

cut back your chemical costs. . . .. .

 

More Troubleshooting: Just click on the phrase content.

1    Clarifier Additional Troubleshooting Document

2    Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations

3    Clarifier Sludge Judge and Operation Troubleshooting

4    Check Out our Wastewater ELearning Courses: Click This Line

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5    Wastewater Training Classes

6    Wastewater Training CD's & Training Material

7    Bioaugmentation Product Line: Click here or the Product Picture