Topic outline

  • Biological Water Treatment - Activated Sludge

    Credits: 2 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    The activated sludge process is very widely used for biological wastewater treatment. This course includes background on biological wastewater treatment, a general description of the activated sludge process, information about several variations of the activated sludge process, discussion of design calculations for an activated sludge aeration tank, and discussion of activated sludge operational calculations. Example calculations and discussion of using an Excel spreadsheet for making the calculations are also included.

    Topics:

      At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
    • Know the equation for biological oxidation and how it fits into the organic carbon cycle
    • Know the equation for photosynthesis and how it fits into the organic carbon cycle
    • Know the major components of an activated sludge wastewater treatment system
    • Be able to describe the differences between an extended aeration and conventional activated sludge system
    • Be able to describe the differences between a contact stabilization and conventional activated sludge system
    • Be able to calculate required aeration tank volume (in U.S. units) for a specified volumetric loading, hydraulic residence time, or aeration tank F:M ratio, if given suitable aeration tank influent and aeration tank parameter information.
    • Be able to calculate required aeration tank volume (in S.I. units) for a specified volumetric loading, hydraulic residence time, or aeration tank F:M ratio, if given suitable aeration tank influent and aeration tank parameter information.
    • Be able to calculate the required activated sludge recycle flow rate, waste activated sludge flow rate, and aeration tank F:M ratio, if given suitable wastewater stream and aeration tank information along with the desired value for sludge retention time.

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for civil engineers, environmental engineers, and chemical engineers. After completing this course you will be familiar with the common variations of the activated sludge process used for biological wastewater treatment and be able to make typical aeration tank design and operational calculations.
    Publication Source: Based on original courseware, written by Harlan Bengtson, PhD, PE

    Harlan Bengtson PhD, PE

    • Topic 1