Question

Explain why biological treatment processes are more susceptible to failures due to variations in flow characteristics

Answer 1

The reasons of failures of biological treatment processes, due to variation is flow characteristics are as follows:

1. Variations in flow rate and concentration add variability to the treatment operation.

2. Flow rate is inportant in determining the size of the plant. Minimum and maximum flows should be computed as they decide the hydraulic computations and the size of pipe distributors.

3. Flow characteristics are taken into consideration while finalizing the design of collection networks of the system.

4. Equalization tanks may be required in order to reduce the effects the of shock loads on the system, so that the flow to the unit is constant inspite of the fluctuations.

5. Variation in the flow characteristics generally have impact on the efficiency of the system.

6. If the concentration at the inlet increases rapidly, the degradation of the biomass in presence of oxygen would be distrubed resulting in anaerobic situation.

7. If the concentration at the inlet decreases, that is, increase in flowrate, dilution will be observed resulting in washing out of the biomass out of the reactor. With decrease in biomass concentration, there is a resulting reduction in the efficicency of the system.