Extended Aeration system
Extended Aeration
One common type of package plant is the extended aeration plant, which includes extended aeration as a key component.
An extended aeration plant comprises several segments, including flow equalization, aeration, clarification, disinfection,
and aeration sludge holding/digestion. Each segment is compartmentalized to ensure efficient operation.
These plants are typically used in small municipalities with flow rates below 0.1 million gallons per day.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended Aeration Plants
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
Easy to operate and easy to install | Requires additional unit processes for denitrification and phosphorus removal |
Odor-free | Requires a large amount of space |
Relatively low sludge yield | Limited flexibility for treating effluents in light of regulation updates |
Extended Aeration Plant
The extended aeration plant involves several components for the biological treatment of wastewater, with extended aeration being a key process. According to the EPA’s wastewater technology fact sheet on package plants, the process flow diagram for a typical extended aeration plant is as follows:
The influent undergoes screening to remove large suspended or floating solids that could damage the equipment or interfere with the treatment process. It then passes through a grinder to reduce the size of large particles not captured by the screen. The plant includes a flow equalization chamber to regulate the wastewater flow rate.
After passing through the flow equalization chamber, the wastewater enters the extended aeration chamber. Here, it is mixed and oxygen is added to aid biological remediation, resulting in a mixed liquor. This mixed liquor then flows to a clarifier or settling chamber where most microorganisms settle to the bottom. A portion of these microorganisms is pumped back into the influent at the beginning of the plant to maintain the biological process.
After the clarification chamber, the clarified wastewater flows over a weir into the disinfection system, ensuring the treated water meets safety and environmental standards.
Extended Aeration: Valuable for Wastewater Treatment
The extended aeration plant involves several components for the biological treatment of wastewater, with extended aeration being a key process. According to the EPA’s wastewater technology fact sheet on package plants, the process flow diagram for a typical extended aeration plant is as follows:
The influent undergoes screening to remove large suspended or floating solids that could damage the equipment or interfere with the treatment process. It then passes through a grinder to reduce the size of large particles not captured by the screen. The plant includes a flow equalization chamber to regulate the wastewater flow rate.
After passing through the flow equalization chamber, the wastewater enters the extended aeration chamber. Here, it is mixed and oxygen is added to aid biological remediation, resulting in a mixed liquor. This mixed liquor then flows to a clarifier or settling chamber where most microorganisms settle to the bottom. A portion of these microorganisms is pumped back into the influent at the beginning of the plant to maintain the biological process.
After the clarification chamber, the clarified wastewater flows over a weir into the disinfection system, ensuring the treated water meets safety and environmental standards.
