Detention times

Typical methane yields and volatile soHds reductions observed under standard high rate conditions are shown in Table 12. Longer detention times will increase the values of these parameters, eg, a methane yield of 0.284 m at normal conditions /kg VS added (4.79 SCF /lb VS added) and volatile soHds reduction of 53.9% for giant brown kelp at a detention time of 18 days instead of the corresponding values of 0.229 and 43.7 at 12 days under standard high rate conditions. However, improvements might be desirable in the reverse direction, ie, at shorter detention times. 

When the overflow clarity is independent of overflow rate and depends only on detention time, as in the case for high soHds removal from a flocculating suspension, the required time is deterrnined by simple laboratory testing of residual soHd concentrations in the supernatant versus detention time under the conditions of mild shear. This deterrnination is sometimes called the second-order test procedure because the flocculation process foUows a second-order reaction rate. 

Sludge is destroyed by microorganisms and the kinetics of their life processes is temperature dependent. Short anaerobic digestion detention times are obtained at 35°C. Even shorter detention times are possible at 52—54°C, but detention in this range is costly. An increase in detention time occurs at 35—43°C and then a progressive decrease takes place until 52—54°C. This variation is caused by a change in character of the dominant process organisms. 

Stabilization Ponds. Stabilization ponds have a water depth of 1—2 m and oxygen is suppHed by surface entrainment or by algae. The BOD loading must be low and the detention time is 5—25 days (218). 

Aerated Lagoons. Aerated lagoons are 2—5 mhquid depth depending on the aeration system and detention times are 2—10 days. They are mainly used because of their efficiency in removing BOD from textile effluents (2). 

Areal efficiencies for properly designed clarifiers in which detention time is not a significant factor range from 65 to 80 percent, and the surface area should be increased accordingly to reduce the overflow rate for scale-up. 

Shoiild the particles have a tendency to cohere slightly during sedimentation, each sampling time, representing a different nominal detention time in the clarifier, will produce different suspended-sohds concentrations at similar rates. These data can be plotted as sets of cui ves of concentration versus settling rate for each detention time by the means just described. Scale-up will be similar, except that detention time will be a factor, and both depth and area of the clarifier will influence the results. In most cases, more than one combination of diameter and depth will be capable of producing the same clarification result. 

These data may be evaluated by selecting different nominal overflow rates (equivalent to settling rates) for each of the detention-time values, and then plotting the suspended-solids concentrations for each nominal overflow rate (as a parameter) against the detention time. For a specified suspended-sohds concentration in the effluent, a cui ve of overflow rate versus detention time can be prepared from this plot and used for optimizing the design of the equipment. 

The suspended-solids concentration can be plotted on log-log paper as a function of the sampling (detention) time. A straight line usually wih resiilt, and the required static detention time t to achieve a certain suspended-sohds concentration C in the overflow of an ideal basin can be taken directly from the graph. If the plot is a straight hne, the data are described by the equation... 

Detention efficiency. Conversion from the ideal basin sized by detention-time procedures to an actual clarifier requires the inclusion of an efficiency factor to account for the effects of turbulence and nonuniform flow. Efficiencies vaiy greatly, being dependent not only on the relative dimensions of the clarifier and the means of feeding but also on the characteristics of the particles. The cui ve shown in Fig. 18-83 can be used to scale up laboratoiy data in sizing circular clarifiers. The static detention time determined from a test to produce a specific effluent sohds concentration is divided by the efficiency (expressed as a fraction) to determine the nominal detention time, which represents the volume of the clarifier above the settled pulp interface divided by the overflow rate. Different diameter-depth combinations are considered by using the corresponding efficiency factor. In most cases, area may be determined by factors other than the bulksettling rate, such as practical tank-depth limitations. 

FIG. 18 83 Efficiency curve for scale-up of barch clarification data to determine nominal detention time in a continuous clarifier,... 

If a solids-contact clarifier is required, the surface-area requirement must exclude the area taken up by the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber itself is normally sized for a detention time of 15 to 45 min, depending on the type of treatment and the design of the unit. 

Feed solutions are usually made up at a water to chemical ratio of 2 1 to 8 1 (on a weight basis) with the usual ratio being 4 1 with a 20-minute detention time. Care must be taken not to dilute ferric sulfate solutions to less than 1 percent to prevent hydrolysis and deposition of ferric hydroxide. Ferric sulfate is actively corrosive in solution, and dissolving and transporting equipment should be fabricated of type 316 stainless steel, rubber, plastics, ceramics, or lead. 

Two primary settling basins are each 100 ft in diameter with an 8-ft side water depth. The tanks are equipped with single effluent weirs located on the peripheries. For a water flow of 10 mgd, calculate the overflow rate, gpd/ft, detention time, hr, and weir loading, gpd/ft. The overflow rate for a clarifier... 

Detention Time Waste activated sludge only, after sludge thickening. 10 -15 days volumetric displacement time. If sludge temperatures are much less than 60°F, more capacity should be provided. Primary sludge mixed with waste activated or trickling filter humus. 20 days displacement time in moderate climates. 

Sedimentation and dissolved air flotation are the most common clarification processes for removal of precipitates. Either sedimentation or flotation is often preceded by chemical coagulation or precipitation, which converts dissolved pollutants to a suspended form, and by flocculation, which enhances clarification by flocculating suspended solids into larger, more easily separating particles. Simple sedimentation normally requires a long retention time to adequately reduce the solids content. The detention time of dissolved air flotation, however, is much shorter. When chemicals are used, retention times are reduced and clarification removal efficiency of either sedimentation or flotation is increased. A properly operated clarification system is capable of efficient removal of suspended solids, metal hydroxides, and other wastewater impurities.10-12... 

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) technology, requiring a short detention time (less than 15 min) and a small space, combined with its mobility, is technologically and economically feasible for treatment of washed wastewater or contaminated groundwater.57 58... 

GIL in Equation 18.17a is the theoretical air/water ratio required for the removal efficiency/for a specific contaminant following Henry s law. In this context, the GIL is denoted (GIL)theory, indicating the theoretical air/water ratio. This also means that a minimum amount of air must be brought into contact with the water for a certain length of detention time, the sparging size of the water droplets also affects the mass transfer, as does the air pressure. 

Several high-rate air flotation clarifiers (both DAF and dispersed air flotation) with less than 15 min of detention times have been developed for groundwater decontamination, industrial effluent treatment, resources recovery, and water reclamation. Both insoluble and soluble impurities such as... 

DAF is controlled under laminar hydraulic flow conditions using a very small volume of air flow amounting to about 1 to 3% of the influent groundwater flow. DAF only requires 3 to 5 min of detention time therefore it is a low-cost process for the decontamination of groundwater. 

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