Lesson 1Primary treatment: role of primary clarifiers, alternative solids capture strategies, and when primary treatment can be omittedThis section explains the role of primary treatment in solids capture and load reduction, covering primary clarifier design, alternative high-rate capture options, impacts on downstream units, and when omitting primary treatment is justified.
Primary clarifier hydraulics and sizingSolids and BOD removal performance targetsHigh-rate primary and fine screening optionsEffect of primary treatment on BNR designCriteria for omitting primary treatmentLesson 2Secondary clarification and solids management: secondary clarifier designs, overflow rates, sludge return and wasting strategiesThis section covers secondary clarifier roles, design parameters, and operational strategies. Topics include clarifier types, surface overflow and solids loading rates, sludge blanket control, RAS/WAS strategies, and troubleshooting solids losses.
Secondary clarifier types and componentsSurface overflow and solids loading ratesSludge blanket monitoring and controlRAS and WAS flow setting strategiesDiagnosing bulking and clarifier failuresLesson 3Sludge treatment conceptual options: thickening, aerobic/anaerobic stabilisation, digestion, dewatering, and final disposal or reuse considerationsThis section outlines sludge treatment trains, including thickening, aerobic and anaerobic stabilisation, digestion, dewatering, and final disposal or reuse. It emphasises mass balance, energy recovery, and regulatory and odour constraints.
Sludge production estimates and characterizationThickening technologies and design rangesAerobic and anaerobic stabilization choicesDigestion, biogas use, and energy recoveryDewatering, disposal, and reuse pathwaysLesson 4Compact and low-footprint configurations: MBBR, SBR, packaged systems, and hybrid solutions with selection guidanceThis section examines compact biological configurations such as MBBR, SBR, packaged plants, and hybrids, focusing on footprint, energy use, flexibility, constructability, and selection criteria for small or space-limited facilities.
Design principles of MBBR reactorsSBR cycle design and control strategiesPackaged plant components and limitationsHybrid MBBR–activated sludge applicationsConfiguration selection for constrained sitesLesson 5Secondary biological processes: comparative analysis of activated sludge (CAS), extended aeration, A2/O, MLE, MBBR, SBR, and trickling filters for compact, energy-efficient plantsThis section compares key secondary biological processes—CAS, extended aeration, A2/O, MLE, MBBR, SBR, and trickling filters—highlighting kinetics, energy use, footprint, nutrient removal capability, and suitability for compact, efficient plants.
Conventional activated sludge design factorsExtended aeration for small robust plantsA2/O and MLE for biological nutrient removalMBBR and SBR for flexible compact systemsTrickling filters and combined biofilm systemsLesson 6Nutrient removal strategies: biological nitrogen removal (nitrification-denitrification) concepts, phosphorus removal options (chemical precipitation, enhanced biological phosphorus removal)This section presents biological and chemical strategies for nutrient removal, covering nitrification–denitrification pathways, process configurations, phosphorus precipitation, EBPR design basics, and key control parameters for stable performance.
Nitrification and denitrification fundamentalsMain BNR process configurations and layoutsCarbon source needs and internal recycle controlChemical phosphorus precipitation design basicsEnhanced biological phosphorus removal conceptsLesson 7Pretreatment options and selection criteria: coarse/fine screening, grit removal, flow measurement and equalisation rationaleThis section details pretreatment objectives and options, including coarse and fine screening, grit removal, flow measurement, and equalisation. It explains sizing, layout, and how pretreatment protects downstream units and improves reliability.
Coarse and fine screening design choicesGrit chamber types and sizing criteriaFlow measurement devices and sitingEqualization basin purposes and designPretreatment selection for varying influentLesson 8Disinfection options: chlorine, UV, peracetic acid—selection drivers, CT concept, residual control and safety considerationsThis section reviews disinfection goals and options, including chlorine, UV, and peracetic acid. It explains CT concepts, dose–response, residual control, safety, by-product concerns, and selection based on effluent quality and regulations.
Disinfection objectives and log removal targetsChlorination systems, CT, and residual controlUV reactor design and dose monitoringPeracetic acid mechanisms and applicationsSafety, by-products, and technology selection
