Activated sludge bioreactor

Input data

Sludge age

Biomass in reactor

Removed BOD load

Recirculation ratio

Endogenous respiration coefficient

Cell production coefficient

Output data

Concentration of suspended solids in reactor

Volume

Sludge production

Recycle concentration

Description

The activated sludge bioreactor node provides a set of calculations for designing and analyzing systems involved in wastewater treatment using activated sludge. The primary functionalities include:

  1. Reactor Volume: Calculates the volume required for the bioreactor to ensure effective wastewater treatment.
  2. Biomass Concentration: Determines the concentration of microorganisms present in the reactor.
  3. Sludge Age: Estimates the time the sludge remains in the system (also known as mean cell residence time).
  4. Reactor Dimensions: Defines the dimensions for designing the reactor based on the calculated volume.
  5. Limiting Flow: Identifies the maximum influent flow rate that the bioreactor can handle.
  6. Surface Area: Calculates the surface area needed for aeration to support biological processes.
  7. Total Area: Determines the overall area required for setting up the bioreactor system.

Failed to load imageActivated sludge bioreactor

Inputs

Parameter
Units
Description
Sludge age
days (d)
The average age of the sludge in the system.
Biomass in reactor
kg/m³
The concentration of biomass in the reactor.
Removed BOD load
mg/L
The concentration of removed biological oxygen demand (BOD).
Recirculation ratio
-
The ratio of recirculated sludge flow to influent flow.
Endogenous respiration coefficient
-
The coefficient for endogenous respiration in microorganisms.
Cell production coefficient
-
The coefficient that represents microbial growth rate.

Outputs

Parameter
Units
Description
Concentration of suspended solids in reactor
mg/L
The concentration of solids in the reactor.
Volume
The calculated volume of the bioreactor.
Sludge production
kg
The amount of sludge produced in the system.
Recycle concentration
mg/L
Concentration of recycled sludge.

References

  • VON SPERLING, Marcos. Princípios do tratamento biológico de águas residuárias: lodos ativados. 2. ed. Belo Horizonte: Desa, 2002. 4 v.