Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

Department of Civil Engineering

Course : CE 6304
Title : Theory of Sewage Treatment

Lecture 5 : Trickling Filter : Attached Growth Process

Lecture by
M. Feroze Ahmed Ph.D., FIE, FBAS, MASCE
Former Professor of Civil Engineering
BUET
Learning Objectives

1. Basic Principles of sewage treatment by trickling filters

2. Empirical equations for computation of efficiencies
3. Design of trickling filters
 ATTACHED GROWTH PROCESS: TRICKLING FILTERS

INTRODUCTION
Trickling filters (TFs) are essential technology in wastewater treatment systems,
designed to biologically process settled sewage by percolating it through an artificial
bed of stones or other porous media. This filtration system facilitates the removal of
organic pollutants, leveraging microbial action to break down organic matter in sewage.
In a typical single-stage trickling filter system, the setup includes several key
components: a primary settling tank to remove larger solids, the trickling filter bed
itself, a secondary settling tank to remove additional solids and biomass such as
worn-out microbial layers from surface of media. and recirculation facilities to ensure
efficient treatment. As shown in Fig.1, sewage undergoes preparatory and primary
phases of treatment to remove undesirable substances and settleable solids carried
by sewage before entering the trickling filter unit Fig. 2 where it encounters a
medium coated with microorganisms.

Fig.1 A Typical Single

Stage Trickling Filter Unit
 Distributors
Tension Rods
(Sprinklers)

Influent Effluent
Under Drainage System
SECTIONAL ELEVATION

Distributors
(Sprinklers)

PLAN

Fig.2 : DETAILS OF A TRICKLING FILTER UNIT

MECHANISM OF ORGANIC REMOVAL

The process of organic removal in trickling filters relies on a continuous or intermittent

flow of well-settled sewage over the surface of the filter bed. The sewage is
distributed across the filter bed by a slowly rotating distributor, which ensures uniform
application over the media and maximizes contact with the microbial layer on the
medium’s surface.
Upon contact, sewage stimulates the growth of a biological layer, or biofilm,
composed of microorganisms that adhere to the media surface. Organic materials in
the sewage are adsorbed by this biological layer, where they are metabolized by
microorganisms for energy and cellular reproduction. Figure 3 illustrates this
interaction, where bacteria and other microorganisms break down the organic
compounds, transforming them into simpler, non-polluting substances.
The thickness of this biofilm layer, often referred to as the "slime layer," is constrained
by the depth to which oxygen can penetrate. Since the process is aerobic, oxygen is
crucial for sustaining the microbial activity necessary to degrade organic materials. As
the slime layer thickens over time, it becomes more difficult for oxygen and nutrients
to reach the microorganisms near the medium’s surface. Consequently,
microorganisms in these inner layers may enter an endogenous phase, where they
begin to break down their own cell material for energy. When the slime layers become
thick, they break up and flow with sewage and finally settle a sludge n final clarifies.
 Sewage

Fig.3: Transfer of organic from Sewage to biological slime layer

Recirculation
Recirculation is the return of a portion of the treated or partially treated sewage to the treatment
process. Usually the return is from the effluent of the final clarifies(sedimentation) to the influent of
primary clarifier (sedimentation). Some times effluent of the trickling filter is returned to influent of
the Trickling Filter.
Purposes of Recirculation
(1) It provides a longer contact time in the filter bed and the sewage is diluted due to recirculation.
(2) The flow through the filter bed can be maintained constant by regulating the recirculated
amount.
(3) Seeding the filter is continuous with active organism and enzyme due to recirculation.
(4) It remove the worn-out films and reduce the film thickness around the medium.
(5) The effluent quality is improved and thus improves the efficiency of filtration.
DESIGN OF TRICKLING FILTERS

There are many variable that may affect the performance and thus the design of
trickling Filters. Some of the factors to be considered in the design of trickling filters
are:
(1) Composition and characteristics of sewage to be treated
(2) Organic and hydraulic loading on the filters
(3) Pretreatment by sedimentation
(4) Recirculation ratio and systems
(5) Filter beds, their volume, area and depth
(6) Filter media to be used, primarily the surface area of the media
(7) Aeration and presence of oxygen in the beds.
(8) Temperature of operation

The efficiency of Trickling Filters are determined by using empirical formula

developed on the basis of operation and evaluation of number of tricking filters.
1. Eckenfelder Formula

Trickling Filter (TF) can have linear flow TF

And re-circulated flow. TF without Recirculation

The BOD removal of a domestic sewage can be computed using the following
Eckenfelder Formula in metric unit:

𝑳𝒆 𝟏𝟎𝟎
= 𝑫𝟎.𝟔𝟕
… … (1)
𝑳𝒊 𝟏+𝟓.𝟒 𝟎.𝟓𝟎
𝑸

Where Le = BOD concentration of the filter effluent

Li = BOD concentration applied to the filter
D = Depth of the filter, m.
Q = Hydraulic loading, m3/m2.d
When circulation is used the influent BOD
is diluted by the recirculated flow. The applied R
BOD lf can be calculated by the eqn.: li lf
TF le
… (2)
TF with Recirculation
Where R = Recirculation ratio.
The filter performance of a recirculated filter can be calculated by combining
Eqns. (1) and qn. 2) as:

𝑳𝒆 𝟏𝟎𝟎
= 𝑫𝟎.𝟔𝟕
… (3)
𝑳𝒊 𝟏+𝑹 𝟏+𝟓.𝟒 −𝑹
𝑸𝟎.𝟓𝟎

The efficiency of a trickling filter is expressed by the equation:

𝟏𝟎𝟎(𝑳𝒊 −𝑳𝒆 )
𝑬= … … (4)
𝑳𝒊
The BOD removal in trickling filter is affected by climatic conditions in the
same way that other biological processes are affected by temperature. The
effect of temperature on the performance of trickling filter can be expressed
by the relationship:
ET = E20 1.035 (T-20) … … … (5)
Where ET is the BOD removal efficiency at ToC
E20 = BOD removal efficiency at 20oC

Worked Example 1
Calculate the efficiency of a 2m deep trickling filter when the hydraulic
loading of the filter is 12 m3/m2.d.
Solution
Given D = 2m
Q= 12 m3/m2.d
𝑳 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝑳𝒆 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝑳𝒆 𝟏𝟎𝟎
Using Eqn. (1) 𝑳𝒊𝒆 = 𝑫𝟎.𝟔𝟕
or = 𝟐𝟎.𝟔𝟕
or = 𝟏.𝟓𝟗
𝑳𝒊
𝟏+𝟓.𝟒 𝟎.𝟓𝟎 𝟏+𝟓.𝟒 𝟎.𝟓𝟎 𝑳𝒊 𝟏+𝟓.𝟒𝟑.𝟒𝟓
𝑸 𝟏𝟐
𝐿𝑒 100
Or = = 28.74%
𝐿𝑖 1+2.48
𝐿
Efficiency E = 100 - 𝐿𝑖𝑒 = 71%
Worked Example 2: The BOD removal efficiency at 20oC was 71%. What will be the
BOD removal at 24oC.

Solution: Using Eqn. (5) E24 = E20 (1.035)24-20 = 71 (1.035) 4 = 81.4 percent

Worked Example 3 : Compute the recirculation ratio to obtain 90% efficiency from a
filter of 2.5m deep and a hydraulic loading of 12m3/m2.d.

Solution : Using Eqn. (3) , Le/Li = 100 -90 = 10;

D0.67/Q0.50 = (2.5) 0.67/(12)0.50 = 0.53
Le/Li = 100/ (1+R) [ 1+ 2.5 ( 0.74)] – R = 10
Solving the above eqn., R = ?.
Recirculated to incoming sewage flow ration is ? : 1
2. National Research Council (USA) Formula
R1 R2
The National Research Council developed on of
the more popular relationship for computation of
efficiency of Trickling Filter. The NRC formula for VW V2W2
a one Stage or first-stage of 2 stage filter may be
written as: 1st Stage 2nd Stage

𝟏𝟎𝟎
E= … … … (5)
𝑾
𝟏+𝟎.𝟒𝟒 𝑽𝑭

Where E1 = Efficiency of the first-stage filter

W = Applied BOD load (5-day, 20oC) , kg/d
V = Volume of filter medial. M3
F = Recirculation factor of the 1st stage filter
𝟏+𝑹 … … …
= 𝟐 (6)
(𝟏+𝟎.𝟏𝑹)
Where R = Ratio of recirculated flow to incoming flow
For 2nd stage filter, the efficiency equation becomes

𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐸2 = 𝟎.𝟒𝟒 𝑾
… … (7)
𝟏+𝟏−𝑬 𝑽 𝑭𝟐
𝟏 𝟐 𝟐

Where E2 = Efficiency of 2nd stage filter

W2 = BOD load (5-day, 20oC) applied to 2nd stage filter, kg/d
V2 =Volume of the 2nd stage filter media , m3
F2 = Recirculation factor of the 2nd stage filter to be computed from
eqn. (6) if the recirculation ratio is different in 2nd stage filter.
Worked out Example 1
Problem: Design a low-rate filter to treat 5.0 Mld of sewage having 200 mg/l BOD.
The final effluent should be < 30 mg/l and organic loading rate is 300 g/m3/d.
Solution:
Assume 30% of BOD removed by primary sedimentation = 200 x 0.30 = 60 mg/l.
Remaining BOD = 200 - 60 = 140 mg/l.
BOD load applied to the filter = flow x conc. of sewage (kg/d)
= 5 x 106 x 140/106 = 700 kg/d
Volume of the filter required = 700 x1000 / 300 = 2,333 m3
Using Eqn,( 5)
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑬=
𝑾
𝟏+𝟎.𝟒𝟒 𝑽𝑭

F = (1+R)/(1+0.1R)2 , Inserting R=0

F=1
𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎(𝑳𝒊 − 𝑳𝒆 𝑳𝒆
𝑬 = = 80.6% ; = 𝟖𝟎. 𝟔 0r = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟗𝟒
𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝑳
𝒊 𝑳𝒊
𝟏+𝟎.𝟒𝟒
𝟐𝟑𝟑𝟑
Le = 0.094 x 140 = 13.2 << 30 mg/L OK

Depth of filter = 1.5 m, Fiter area = 2,333 /1.5 = 1555 m2, and
Diameter = 45 m < 60 m OK
Hydraulic loading rate = {5 x 106/103 /1555 = 3.21 m3/d/m2 < 4 m3/d/m2 OK
Worked Example 2 :
A two-stage trickling filter is to treat 6 mld of raw sewage with a BOD of 265 mg/l The
filter (both the filters are of equal size) are to be designed for a BOD loading of 350
gm/m3.d. The recirculation ratio is 1.1. What will be the BOD of the final effluent if
30% of the BOD is removed by the primary clarifier.
Solution:
BOD load to be applied to filter = (265x6x106/103) x( 1 – 0.3) = 1113x103 gm/d
Required volume of the filter = BOD load/ allowable load per volume
= 1113000/350 = 3,180 m3

Volume of each filter = 3,180/ 2 = 1590 m3.

Recirculation factor, F = ( 1 +1.1)/ ( 1 + 0.1 x 1.1) 2 = 1.71
BOD Loading of the 1st stage filter is 1113 kg/d
Efficiency of the 1st stage filter,
E = 100/[ 1 + 0.44 √( 1113/1590x1.71)] = 78%

BOD loading of the 2nd stage filter = 1113 (1 –0. 78) = 245kg/d
Efficiency of the 2nd stage filter,
E2 = 100/ (1 + [0.44/ (1 – 0.78)] √ [245 /(1590 x 1.71)] = 63%
BOD of the final effluent = 265 ( 1 – 0.30) ( 1 – 0.78) ( 1 – 0.63) = 15 mg/l
Trickling Filter with plastic media: Germain Formula
Distributor Speed
The dosing rate to a trickling filter is a function of distributor
speed orthe on-off times of a fixed distributor.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TRICKLING FILTERS
Advantages
• Simple and Reliable Process: Trickling filters operate on a straightforward, biological
treatment process that is dependable and requires relatively low maintenance.
• Space-Efficient: Suitable for locations where large tracts of land are unavailable,
making it ideal for urban or densely populated areas where land is limited.
• Compliance with Secondary Discharge Standards: In many cases, trickling filters meet
the standards required for secondary wastewater treatment, allowing treated water to
be safely discharged.
• Effective Organic Removal: Capable of treating high concentrations of organic matter,
especially when paired with suitable filter media, resulting in significant pollutant
reduction.
• Ideal for Small- to Medium-Sized Communities: Designed to effectively meet the
treatment needs of smaller communities with moderate wastewater volumes.
• Rapid Reduction of Soluble BOD5: Quickly reduces levels of biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD5), which improves quality of the effluent quickly.
• Efficient Nitrification: Trickling filters are effective at converting ammonia into nitrate
(nitrification), especially beneficial in reducing nitrogen levels in wastewater.
• Durable Components: The materials used in the filter bed and structural elements are
typically long-lasting and can withstand continuous operation.
• Low Energy Requirements: Trickling filters use minimal power compared to other
wastewater treatment systems, making them energy-efficient and cost-effective.
• Moderate Skill Requirement: Operating and managing a trickling filter requires only a
moderate level of technical expertise, which is accessible for many operators.
Disadvantages
• May Require Additional Treatment: To meet stricter discharge standards, additional
treatment processes, such as secondary sedimentation or polishing, may be
necessary.
• Biomass Accumulation Issues: Excess biomass can build up on the filter media,
potentially leading to anaerobic conditions and impaired filter performance. Factors
like hydraulic dosage rate, media type, organic load, temperature, and biological
growth impact the extent of biomass accumulation.
• Requires Regular Maintenance: Routine operator’s attention and maintenance are
necessary to ensure the system functions effectively.
• High Clogging Potential: The risk of clogging in the filter bed is relatively high,
requiring frequent checks and maintenance to prevent blockage and maintain flow.
• Limited Load Capacity: Trickling filters work best under low organic and hydraulic
loads; high loadings can compromise performance, depending on the type of media
used.
• Reduced Flexibility and Control: Compared to activated sludge processes, trickling
filters offer less flexibility and control in adjusting operational parameters to respond
to changes in influent characteristics.
• Vector and Odor Problems: Trickling filters may attract insects and produce odors if
not properly managed, leading to potential nuisance issues.
• Snail Infestations: Snails can inhabit trickling filters, which may affect filter efficiency
and require intervention for control.
ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR (RBC)

Introduction
A Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) in Fig. 4 is an efficient and widely used
wastewater treatment technology that uses a biofilm system for the aerobic
degradation of organic pollutants. This process is especially popular in municipal
and industrial wastewater treatment plants due to its simplicity, low energy
consumption, and relatively compact design. RBCs facilitate a biological process in
which microorganisms, such as bacteria, break down organic matter in wastewater,
reducing pollutants and transforming wastewater into a cleaner effluent.

Fig.4: Section of a
Rotating biological
Contactor (RBC)
 Rotating Disks

Raw
Primary
Sewage
Settling Effluent
Final
Settling

Sludge Tank

Fermanagh WwTW - RBC Contract

Photograph of a RBC
Structure and Working Mechanism
An RBC consists of a series of closely spaced, rotating discs partially submerged in
wastewater. The discs are typically made of lightweight, durable materials like
plastic, fiberglass, or polystyrene, arranged on a horizontal shaft. As the shaft
rotates, the discs repeatedly come into contact with both air and wastewater,
exposing the attached microorganisms to both oxygen and nutrients ( Fig. 4).
The rotational movement of the discs serves two main purposes:
• Oxygenation: When the discs are exposed to air, oxygen is transferred to the
microbial biofilm, facilitating aerobic digestion of the organic matter in
wastewater.
• Wastewater Contact: As the discs re-enter the wastewater, they absorb organic
nutrients from it, allowing microorganisms to consume and degrade pollutants.
This cyclical exposure promotes efficient organic matter breakdown by
continuously supplying oxygen and nutrients to the biofilm.
Stages of Treatment in RBC
An RBC system generally operates in multiple stages to achieve efficient wastewater
treatment:
• Primary Treatment: RBC typically follows primary sedimentation, which removes
large solids from the wastewater.
• First Stage: The wastewater enters the RBC unit, where it first encounters the
rotating discs covered with biofilm. Here, a significant amount of Biological
Oxygen Demand (BOD) is removed as organic matter is broken down.
• Subsequent Stages: The RBC process may consist of additional stages where
the wastewater flows from one stage to the next, allowing further BOD
reduction and nitrification.
In advanced RBC systems, each stage is optimized for specific processes, such as
BOD reduction or nitrogen removal, ensuring comprehensive treatment.

Biofilm Development and Microbial Action

The RBC process is fundamentally dependent on biofilm, a layer of

microorganisms that develops on the disc surfaces. When RBC units start
operating, bacteria and other microorganisms naturally begin to adhere to the
discs, forming a thin biofilm. Over time, as the RBC system treats wastewater, the
biofilm thickens and accumulates a complex microbial community, including
bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and even algae, all of which contribute to the
breakdown of organic matter.

In RBCs, aerobic bacteria dominate the biofilm community, primarily responsible

for decomposing organic matter and reducing BOD. As the biofilm matures, it
reaches an equilibrium where new microbial growth is balanced by sloughing, the
natural shedding of older biofilm layers into the wastewater. This process
maintains a healthy biofilm that continuously performs effective treatment
without excessive clogging.
Advantages and Limitations of Biological Contactors

Advantages
The RBC system offers several significant advantages, making it an attractive
choice for sewage treatment:
• Energy Efficiency: RBC systems consume relatively little energy, as the
rotational movement requires minimal power compared to other aeration
techniques.
• Low Operating Costs: Due to its simple mechanical design and low energy
requirements, RBC has lower operating and maintenance costs than some
other treatment methods.
• Compact Design: RBC units are compact and do not require large land areas,
making them suitable for urban installations or facilities with limited space.
• Resilience to Shock Loads: RBC systems are relatively stable under
fluctuating loads and sudden changes in wastewater characteristics,
providing reliable performance in diverse conditions.
• Effective Nitrification: RBCs are highly effective for nitrification, a process
that converts ammonia in wastewater to less harmful nitrates, which is
crucial for reducing the nutrient load in effluents.
Limitations
Despite its benefits, RBC technology has some limitations that must be considered:
• Temperature Sensitivity: RBC performance can decline in colder climates, as
lower temperatures slow microbial activity, reducing organic removal rates.
• Biofilm Management: Excessive biofilm growth or inadequate sloughing may
lead to clogging, fouling, or reduced efficiency. Regular maintenance is needed
to prevent such issues.
• Mechanical Issues: Since RBC systems rely on continuous rotation, mechanical
components such as bearings and shafts require regular inspection and repair to
avoid breakdowns.
• Initial Costs: Though operationally cost-effective, the initial setup and
installation costs of RBC systems can be high, making them less feasible for
smaller facilities with limited budgets.
In spite of limitations, RBC systems are widely employed for municipal wastewater
treatment, particularly for small to medium-sized plants. The technology is also
popular in various industrial applications, such as food and beverage processing,
paper mills, and textile manufacturing, where organic contaminants in the effluent
are high. The RBC process is especially suitable for decentralized wastewater
treatment facilities, where it efficiently meets regulatory discharge standards
without requiring complex systems.
 Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)
Sewage treatment is
accomplished by
aeration with floating
bio-film media.

The microorganism
attached with media
capture organic
molecules and break
them into simple
compounds CO2 and
H2O etc
.
The biofilm need
cleaning
once in a year and
desludging once in two
years.
• The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) is a biofilm-based biological process that
takes advantage of natural cellular processes to decompose the organic matter in
wastewater.
• The technology is applied as on-site solution as well as large-scale centralized
solution.
• The MBBR process takes place in a reactor or aeration tank made of concrete,
steel or plastic

Overview
Removal efficiencies (%)
Input: Blackwater, Greywater
80 – 95 BOD
Output: Effluent, Sludge
70 – 90 COD
70 – 95 TSS
Effluent Post-treatment
• Effluent of the system can be used for irrigation for agricultural purposes. It may
undergo hypo-chlorination prior discharge into a waterbody.
.
Electricity
• The MBBR requires electricity to operate a variety of components such as the
aeration system, mixing system and pumps. The average consumption for a 12 m3
system is 12.5 kWh/day [1].
Exercise

1. State the mechanism of removal of organics in by trickling filter process

2. What are the purposes of recirculation in a trickling filter
3. Draw neat diagram of a trickling filter bed and explain the working
principles
4. Design a trickling filter unit using both Eckenfelder and National Research
Council Formula to treat 1 mgd of sewage having a BOD of 200 mg/l
with a recirculation ratio of 1. The effluent BOD will be less than 50 mg/l
and the depth of filter bed will not exceed 5 ft.. Assume any data, if
required.
5. Describe the principle of sewage treatment by Rotary Biological Contactor
(RBC). What are the advantages and limitations of RBC system of sewage
treatment.