What is theprimary difference between
aerobic and anaerobic biological waste water
treatment processes and how do the
differences impact the treatment efficiency
and products
3.
Aerobic and anaerobicbiological waste water
treatment processes
• Aerobic decomposition, also known as aerobic respiration, occurs in
the presence of oxygen. It is primarily used in wastewater treatment
to break down organic matter into simpler, stable compounds.
• Anaerobic decomposition, or anaerobic respiration, occurs in the
absence of oxygen. It is commonly used for high-strength
wastewater and sludge digestion, producing biogas as a byproduct.
4.
Differences Between Aerobicand Anaerobic
Treatment
Factor Aerobic Treatment Anaerobic
Treatment
Oxygen
Requirement
Requires oxygen
(O₂)
Operates without
oxygen
Microbial Activity
Aerobic bacteria
rapidly break down
organic matter
Anaerobic bacteria
slowly degrade
organic matter
Energy Production
High energy yield
(36–38
ATP/glucose)
Low energy yield
(2–6 ATP/glucose)
5.
Continuation…..
Factor Aerobic TreatmentAnaerobic
Treatment
Treatment Speed Fast (6–24 hours
retention time)
Slow (2–30 days
retention time)
Sludge Production
High (40–60% of
organic matter
converted to
biomass)
Low (5–20%
converted to
biomass)
Final Byproducts
CO₂ and water
(H₂O)
Methane (CH₄),
CO₂, and hydrogen
sulfide (H₂S)
6.
Continuation…..
Factor Aerobic TreatmentAnaerobic
Treatment
Odor Issues Minimal Potential odor
(H₂S, NH₃)
Nutrient Removal
Good removal of
nitrogen and
phosphorus
Limited removal of
nitrogen and
phosphorus
Energy Recovery No energy recovery Produces biogas
(CH₄) for energy
Organic Matter RemovalEfficiency (COD & BOD
Reduction)
• Aerobic Treatment:
• Removes 85–95% of BOD and 70–90% of COD.
• Organic matter is completely oxidized into CO₂ and H₂O.
• Anaerobic Treatment:
• Removes 50–80% of BOD and 40–75% of COD.
• Organic matter is partially broken down, leaving some residual pollutants.
• Often requires post-treatment with an aerobic process to further reduce
COD/BOD.
9.
Energy Requirements andRecovery
• Aerobic Treatment:
• High energy consumption due to aeration.
• No energy recovery—all energy is lost as heat.
• Anaerobic Treatment:
• Low energy consumption (no aeration required).
• Produces methane (CH₄) biogas, which can be used for electricity generation
or heating.
10.
Treatment Speed &Retention Time
• Aerobic Treatment:
• Faster treatment (6–24 hours).
• Suitable for high-flow, low-strength wastewater (municipal sewage).
• Anaerobic Treatment:
• Slower process (2–30 days).
• Used for high-strength wastewater (industrial effluents, food processing
waste).
11.
Byproduct and EnvironmentalImpact
• Aerobic Treatment:
• Produces CO₂, which contributes to carbon emissions.
• Minimal odor issues.
• Anaerobic Treatment:
• Produces methane (CH₄), CO₂, and H₂S.
• Methane is a renewable energy source, but if released untreated, it is a
strong greenhouse gas.
• Potential odor issues (H₂S, NH₃).
12.
Compare and contrastthe use of Anaerobic,
Facultative, and Aerobic Ponds for
Wastewater Treatment
13.
Anaerobic, Facultative, andAerobic Ponds for
Wastewater Treatment
• Anaerobic ponds operate without oxygen, relying on anaerobic
bacteria to break down organic matter through fermentation and
methanogenesis.
• Facultative ponds operate with both aerobic and anaerobic
conditions, supporting facultative bacteria that can survive in either
environment.
• Aerobic or maturation ponds serve as the final treatment stage,
focusing on pathogen removal and polishing the effluent before
discharge or reuse.
14.
Comparison of Anaerobic,Facultative, and
Aerobic Ponds
Feature Anaerobic Pond Facultative Pond
Aerobic
(Maturation)
Pond
Oxygen
Requirement None Partial High
Microbial
Process Anaerobic Mixed
(Facultative) Aerobic
BOD Removal 40–60% 70–90% 80–95%
15.
Continuation…..
Feature Anaerobic PondFacultative Pond
Aerobic
(Maturation)
Pond
Pathogen
Removal Low Moderate High (99%)
Sludge
Production High Moderate Low
Odor Issues High Moderate Low
16.
Continuation…..
Feature Anaerobic PondFacultative Pond
Aerobic
(Maturation)
Pond
Energy
Requirement None None None (natural
aeration)
Retention Time 1–5 days 5–30 days 10–20 days
Best Used For
High-strength
wastewater
(pre-treatment)
Secondary
treatment
Final polishing &
pathogen
removal
17.
discuss the advantages,disadvantages, and
suitability for the different types of waste
water
18.
Domestic (Municipal) Wastewater
Source:Households, offices, schools, hospitals
Main Contaminants: Organic matter, nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus),
pathogens, and suspended solids
19.
Advantages
• Easier totreat compared to industrial wastewater – well-established
treatment technologies exist (e.g., activated sludge).
Recyclable – Treated effluent can be used for irrigation, landscaping,
or groundwater recharge.
Biodegradable – High organic matter content makes biological
treatment effective.
20.
Disadvantages
• Contains pathogens– Needs disinfection before reuse or discharge.
High nitrogen & phosphorus – Can cause eutrophication if
discharged untreated.
Large volume – Requires large-scale treatment plants.
21.
Suitability & TreatmentOptions
• Best suited for biological treatment (activated sludge, lagoons,
biofilters).
Suitable for reuse in agriculture, irrigation, and industrial cooling after
secondary or tertiary treatment.
22.
Industrial Wastewater
• Source:Factories, power plants, refineries, chemical &
pharmaceutical industries
Main Contaminants: Heavy metals, toxic chemicals, high COD/BOD,
oil & grease
23.
Advantages
• Can bepre-treated at source – Reduces load on municipal treatment
plants.
Possibility of resource recovery – Metals, chemicals, and water can
be reclaimed in some industries.
Advanced treatment options available – Technologies like reverse
osmosis and chemical oxidation can handle toxic waste.
24.
Disadvantages
• Highly variablecomposition – Requires customized treatment
solutions.
May contain hazardous chemicals – Conventional biological
treatment may not work.
Expensive treatment – Requires advanced treatment systems like
membranes, oxidation, and adsorption.
25.
Suitability & TreatmentOptions
• Best suited for industries that can install pre-treatment systems
before discharge.
Common treatment methods: Chemical coagulation, oxidation,
biological treatment, membrane filtration.
26.
Stormwater (Urban Runoff)
•Source: Rainwater flowing over roads, parking lots, and buildings
Main Contaminants: Oil, grease, heavy metals, sediments, trash
27.
Advantages
• Can becollected and stored for reuse – Can recharge groundwater
or supply non-potable water.
Can be treated using natural methods – Bioswales, rain gardens, and
constructed wetlands are effective.
Reduces flooding – Proper management prevents urban flooding and
erosion.
28.
Disadvantages
• Highly variablequality – Contaminant levels depend on urban
activities and rainfall.
Difficult to collect and treat – Large drainage systems are required.
High sediment load – Can clog waterways and infrastructure.
29.
Suitability & TreatmentOptions
• Best suited for green infrastructure solutions (permeable pavements,
rain gardens, retention ponds).
Common treatment methods: Sedimentation, filtration, constructed
wetlands, oil separation.
Advantages
• Can bereused – Treated agricultural wastewater can be used for
irrigation.
Nutrient-rich – Proper treatment can recover nitrogen and
phosphorus as fertilizers.
Natural treatment options available – Constructed wetlands and
lagoons can treat wastewater cost-effectively.
32.
Disadvantages
• High nutrientload – Causes algal blooms and eutrophication in
nearby water bodies.
Pathogens from animal waste – Needs disinfection to prevent
disease spread.
Seasonal variations – Wastewater flow depends on rainfall and
farming activities.
33.
Suitability & TreatmentOptions
• Best suited for reuse in irrigation, constructed wetlands, and
biological treatment.
Common treatment methods: Sedimentation, anaerobic digestion,
wetlands, nutrient removal.
34.
Medical (Hospital) Wastewater
•Source: Hospitals, clinics, laboratories
Main Contaminants: Pharmaceuticals, pathogens, blood, chemical
disinfectants
35.
Advantages
• Can betreated separately – Reduces risk of mixing hazardous waste
with municipal wastewater.
New technologies available – Advanced oxidation and membrane
filtration can remove pharmaceuticals.
Prevention of disease spread – Proper treatment ensures public
health safety.
36.
Disadvantages
• Contains harmfulsubstances – Pathogens, drug residues, and
chemicals need specialized treatment.
Requires strict regulations – Discharge must meet public health and
environmental standards.
Expensive to treat – Advanced technologies like UV, ozone, and
nanofiltration increase costs.
37.
Suitability & TreatmentOptions
• Best suited for separate collection and on-site treatment before
discharge.
Common treatment methods: Chemical disinfection, membrane
filtration, advanced oxidation, incineration for solid waste.
38.
Mining Wastewater (AcidMine Drainage -
AMD)
• Source: Mining operations, metal extraction
Main Contaminants: Acidic water, heavy metals (arsenic, lead,
mercury), sulfates
39.
Advantages
• Metals canbe recovered – Some treatment methods allow valuable
metals to be extracted.
Passive treatment options available – Constructed wetlands and
limestone reactors can treat AMD naturally.
Reduces long-term environmental damage – Proper treatment
prevents acidification of rivers and lakes.
40.
Disadvantages
• Highly acidic(low pH) – Requires strong neutralization before
further treatment.
Toxic heavy metals – Can bioaccumulate in the food chain.
Long-term contamination – Some mining sites require treatment for
decades.
41.
Suitability & TreatmentOptions
• Best suited for chemical and biological treatment for pH correction
and metal removal.
Common treatment methods: Lime neutralization, sulfate
reduction, passive wetlands, reverse osmosis.