Wastewater Treatment Plant Virtual Tour
The process employed at the Elmhurst Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WRF) are designed to remove grit, provide primary treatment, extended aeration, final clarification, and disinfection of the wastewater. This treatment is accomplished by the movement of the sewage through a series of treatment tanks. The wastewater treatment process involves:General Information
The Elmhurst WRF has the capacity to fully treat 20 million gallons of wastewater per day (mgd) and can give primary treatment to an additional 40 mgd of wastewater, if necessary, during excess flow conditions.
The concentration of suspended solids in an average days flow of raw sewage entering the Elmhurst WRF is approximately 6,540 pounds of dry solids. View a flow schematic of the treatment process.
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VIRTUAL TOUR
Bar Screens
The sewage is first pumped using three enclosed screw raw sewage pumps which provide a means of lifting the incoming sewage from the sewer system. The sewage then passes through the bar screens for rag removal.
In this section two automatic bar screen cleaners remove large solids (rags, plastics, etc.) from the raw sewage. The collected material is placed in dumpsters to be later taken to the landfill. The action of the bar screen equipment is paced according to the amount of incoming solids and the flow rate.
Grit Tanks
Next, the sewage moves to the grit tanks. These tanks reduce the velocity of the sewage so that heavy particles may fall to the bottom.
The solids are pumped to an grit washing system which separates the water from the grit while the water moves onward. The grit (mostly inorganic solids) goes to a dumpster which is taken to a landfill. There are two complete grit washing systems which are rotated in operation for equal hours.
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Bar ScreensThe sewage is first pumped using three enclosed screw raw sewage pumps which provide a means of lifting the incoming sewage from the sewer system. The sewage then passes through the bar screens for rag removal.
In this section two automatic bar screen cleaners remove large solids (rags, plastics, etc.) from the raw sewage. The collected material is placed in dumpsters to be later taken to the landfill. The action of the bar screen equipment is paced according to the amount of incoming solids and the flow rate.
Grit Tanks
Next, the sewage moves to the grit tanks. These tanks reduce the velocity of the sewage so that heavy particles may fall to the bottom.
The solids are pumped to an grit washing system which separates the water from the grit while the water moves onward. The grit (mostly inorganic solids) goes to a dumpster which is taken to a landfill. There are two complete grit washing systems which are rotated in operation for equal hours.
Primary Clarifiers (Primary Settling Tanks)
Next, the sewage is directed to one of four primary clarifiers (primary settling tanks). The primary clarifiers remove the larger suspended solids and floating material from the degritted wastewater prior to discharge to the aeration tanks.
This significantly reduces the load on the aerators and increases efficiency. The clarifiers can effectively remove 50% - 60% of the suspended solids and 25% - 40% of the BOD5 from the wastewater.
Next, the sewage is directed to one of four primary clarifiers (primary settling tanks). The primary clarifiers remove the larger suspended solids and floating material from the degritted wastewater prior to discharge to the aeration tanks.This significantly reduces the load on the aerators and increases efficiency. The clarifiers can effectively remove 50% - 60% of the suspended solids and 25% - 40% of the BOD5 from the wastewater.
Definition
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) refers to the amount of oxygen that would be consumed if all the organics in one liter of water were oxidized by bacteria and protozoa (ReVelle and ReVelle, 1988).
Measuring BOD
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) refers to the amount of oxygen that would be consumed if all the organics in one liter of water were oxidized by bacteria and protozoa (ReVelle and ReVelle, 1988).
Measuring BOD
- The first step in measuring BOD is to obtain equal volumes of water from the area to be tested and dilute each specimen with a known volume of distilled water which has been thoroughly shaken to insure oxygen saturation.
- After this, an oxygen meter is used to determine the concentration of oxygen within one of the vials. The remaining vial is than sealed and placed in darkness and tested five days later. BOD is then determined by subtracting the second meter reading from the first.
- The range of possible readings can vary considerably: water from an exceptionally clear lake might show a BOD of less than 2 ml/L of water. Raw sewage may give readings in the hundreds and food processing wastes may be in the thousands.
Aeration Tanks & Activated Sludge
After leaving the primary clarifiers, the sewage goes to any one of ten aeration tanks. Elmhurst uses a system of sewage treatment called activated sludge.
The aeration tanks provide a location where biological treatment of the wastewater takes place. In these tanks, micro-organisms and wastewater in various stages of decomposition are mixed, aerated, and maintained in suspension.
History of Activated Sludge
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
The contents of the aeration tanks, which require a delicate balance of food and oxygen, are commonly referred to as the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) or activated sludge. The activated sludge converts organic substances into oxidized products and a settleable floc which is settled out in the secondary clarifiers.
The aeration tanks have a great deal of flexibility built into them. Raw sewage can be introduced in various locations, and be aerated and mixed for varying lengths of time and intensity.
After leaving the primary clarifiers, the sewage goes to any one of ten aeration tanks. Elmhurst uses a system of sewage treatment called activated sludge.The aeration tanks provide a location where biological treatment of the wastewater takes place. In these tanks, micro-organisms and wastewater in various stages of decomposition are mixed, aerated, and maintained in suspension.
History of Activated Sludge
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
The contents of the aeration tanks, which require a delicate balance of food and oxygen, are commonly referred to as the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) or activated sludge. The activated sludge converts organic substances into oxidized products and a settleable floc which is settled out in the secondary clarifiers.
The aeration tanks have a great deal of flexibility built into them. Raw sewage can be introduced in various locations, and be aerated and mixed for varying lengths of time and intensity.
Secondary Clarifiers
After leaving the aeration tanks, the now treated sewage, along with the bacteria, enter the secondary clarifiers. The plant has a total of six of secondary clarifiers. These tanks provide a location where the activated sludge solids can be separated from the liquid in the mixed liquor coming from the aeration tanks.
Chlorination
The clear overflow in the final settling tank now goes to the chlorine contact tanks (3 tanks), for disinfection and a final polishing to remove any solids still present. The chlorination system is used to provide disinfection of the plant effluent before final discharge to the receiving stream (Salt Creek). Disinfection reduces the number of harmful, pathogenic (disease causing) organisms that may be in the final effluent.
Dechlorination
After chlorination a process of dechlorination takes place. Chlorine is a toxic material and has been shown to be harmful, even in low dosages, to the stream flora and fauna. In response to this Illinois has required all wastewater plants who use chlorine to disinfect to remove that chlorine. Elmhurst is using a chemical compound called sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide neutralizes the chlorine so it is not toxic to the stream.
Final Effluent Content
After all processing has been completed, the final effluent will contain approximately three to five mg / L of solids, or about 250 pounds of dry solids in eight million gallons of water. This is about a 97% reduction in total solids. In addition, the incoming raw sewage will contain approximately 50,000 to 100,000 fecal coliform bacteria, (an indicator of pathogenic organisms), per milliliter (approximately ten drops).
The final effluent averages approximately two fecal coliform bacteria per 100 ml.( four ounces). This is better than a 99.999% reduction in bacteria.
Solids
The settled solids, from the primary clarifiers, are pumped to the digesters where the solids are stabilized. Activated sludge solids from the secondary clarifiers which are not returned to the aerators are wasted. The DAF (dissolved air flotation) thickener tanks receive the wasted solids. Solids enter the DAF tank where they are mixed with water and compressed air.
As the air and water mix, solid particles are lifted to the surface by rising air bubbles in the tank. The floating solids are then collected by a series of tank skimmers while the water is recycled back to the raw sewer to be processed through the plant. The solids from the DAF are pumped to the anaerobic digesters.
After leaving the aeration tanks, the now treated sewage, along with the bacteria, enter the secondary clarifiers. The plant has a total of six of secondary clarifiers. These tanks provide a location where the activated sludge solids can be separated from the liquid in the mixed liquor coming from the aeration tanks.Chlorination
The clear overflow in the final settling tank now goes to the chlorine contact tanks (3 tanks), for disinfection and a final polishing to remove any solids still present. The chlorination system is used to provide disinfection of the plant effluent before final discharge to the receiving stream (Salt Creek). Disinfection reduces the number of harmful, pathogenic (disease causing) organisms that may be in the final effluent.
Dechlorination
After chlorination a process of dechlorination takes place. Chlorine is a toxic material and has been shown to be harmful, even in low dosages, to the stream flora and fauna. In response to this Illinois has required all wastewater plants who use chlorine to disinfect to remove that chlorine. Elmhurst is using a chemical compound called sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide neutralizes the chlorine so it is not toxic to the stream.
Final Effluent ContentAfter all processing has been completed, the final effluent will contain approximately three to five mg / L of solids, or about 250 pounds of dry solids in eight million gallons of water. This is about a 97% reduction in total solids. In addition, the incoming raw sewage will contain approximately 50,000 to 100,000 fecal coliform bacteria, (an indicator of pathogenic organisms), per milliliter (approximately ten drops).
The final effluent averages approximately two fecal coliform bacteria per 100 ml.( four ounces). This is better than a 99.999% reduction in bacteria.
Solids
The settled solids, from the primary clarifiers, are pumped to the digesters where the solids are stabilized. Activated sludge solids from the secondary clarifiers which are not returned to the aerators are wasted. The DAF (dissolved air flotation) thickener tanks receive the wasted solids. Solids enter the DAF tank where they are mixed with water and compressed air.As the air and water mix, solid particles are lifted to the surface by rising air bubbles in the tank. The floating solids are then collected by a series of tank skimmers while the water is recycled back to the raw sewer to be processed through the plant. The solids from the DAF are pumped to the anaerobic digesters.
Anaerobic Digesters
In the anaerobic digesters another group of bacteria begin to digest and dissolve the solids to their basic components. This process uses bacteria which do not need atmospheric oxygen to survive, so therefore, no air is bubbled into the tanks. In fact, air mixed with the gasses may be explosive, so we strive to keep all air out.
The anaerobic digesters produce a stable sludge which is readily dewatered. The process is also a source of methane gas, which is used as a fuel source for heating the digesters, heating several buildings, and fueling the engine generator to produce electricity. The digester is kept at an optimum temperature of between 90 - 95 degrees F. About 50,000 cubic feet of methane gas are produced per day.
The Engine Generator
The engine generator runs on digester or natural gas. The generator supplies electrical power to essential pieces of treatment plant equipment.
In the event of a complete power outage, important equipment will be powered by the engine generator. Waste heat is used to help heat surrounding buildings.
In the anaerobic digesters another group of bacteria begin to digest and dissolve the solids to their basic components. This process uses bacteria which do not need atmospheric oxygen to survive, so therefore, no air is bubbled into the tanks. In fact, air mixed with the gasses may be explosive, so we strive to keep all air out.
The anaerobic digesters produce a stable sludge which is readily dewatered. The process is also a source of methane gas, which is used as a fuel source for heating the digesters, heating several buildings, and fueling the engine generator to produce electricity. The digester is kept at an optimum temperature of between 90 - 95 degrees F. About 50,000 cubic feet of methane gas are produced per day.
The Engine GeneratorThe engine generator runs on digester or natural gas. The generator supplies electrical power to essential pieces of treatment plant equipment.
In the event of a complete power outage, important equipment will be powered by the engine generator. Waste heat is used to help heat surrounding buildings.
Sand Drying Beds & Belt Filter Presses
After most of the organic solids have been digested, the sludge is pumped to sand drying beds or to the belt filter presses. The belt filter presses use a chemical flocculent to separate the water from the solids. The dewatered solids are then squeezed between two belts to further dewater them.
Fertilizer & Soil Conditioner
The resulting solids are in the range of 18% - 20% solids. These solids are applied to agricultural land. If agriculture fields are not available, the solids would be taken to a landfill; however, this is expensive and a waste of valuable soil conditioner.
The sludge drying beds also provide a means of drying the sludge treated by the anaerobic digesters. As an alternative, the digested sludge may be pumped to the truck loading station to be hauled to other locations for drying or for use as fertilizer. Sludge is a good soil conditioner as well as fertilizer.
Elmhurst sludge has been approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for application on agricultural soils, it has very low concentrations of elements which may be toxic to the soil or plants.
After most of the organic solids have been digested, the sludge is pumped to sand drying beds or to the belt filter presses. The belt filter presses use a chemical flocculent to separate the water from the solids. The dewatered solids are then squeezed between two belts to further dewater them.
Fertilizer & Soil Conditioner
The resulting solids are in the range of 18% - 20% solids. These solids are applied to agricultural land. If agriculture fields are not available, the solids would be taken to a landfill; however, this is expensive and a waste of valuable soil conditioner.
The sludge drying beds also provide a means of drying the sludge treated by the anaerobic digesters. As an alternative, the digested sludge may be pumped to the truck loading station to be hauled to other locations for drying or for use as fertilizer. Sludge is a good soil conditioner as well as fertilizer.
Elmhurst sludge has been approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for application on agricultural soils, it has very low concentrations of elements which may be toxic to the soil or plants.