International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 10, No.

2, February 2019

Assessment of Extended Aeration Sludge Process in Jahra

Wastewater Treatment Plant-Kuwait
Saud B. Al-Shammari and A. Shahalam

 from the biological process. The treated effluents of all three

Abstract—This study evaluates and analyzes the performance plants are used for irrigation purposes. The aim of this study
and the efficiency of extended aeration sludge process (EASP) is to evaluate the treatment efficiency and the effluent quality
utilized in Jahra conventional wastewater treatment plant in of the extended aeration sludge system in Jahra wastewater
Kuwait. The performance evaluation will help for the better
understanding of design and operating difficulties of Jahra
treatment plant.
wastewater treatment plant. For this purpose, weekly samples
from Jahra raw wastewater line, aerator effluent stream and
clarifier effluent line were collected and analyzed for important II. BACKGROUND
wastewater quality parameters. The performance evaluation
was done based on removal efficiency of Biochemical Oxygen A. Extended Aeration Sludge Process
Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total
The extended aeration sludge process (EASP), which is a
Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total
Phosphorus (TP). The results indicated that a significant modification of the conventional activated sludge process is
reduction in TSS, BOD, COD was observed in EASP effluent. widely used to treat domestic wastewater. EASP is designed
The results show that the average removal efficiencies of the to provide an aeration period much longer than the
system for TSS, BOD, COD were 86%, 85% and 81%, conventional activated sludge process (generally 18-24 hours)
respectively. However, poor reduction in phosphate and followed by a 3-6 hour period in a final settling tank for
nitrogen contents was noticed with average removal of 57% and
separation of the liquid and the sludge [4]. Fig. 1 illustrate
42% respectively.
the process flow diagram of EASP. The flow scheme of
Index Terms—Activated sludge process, wastewater, EASP is similar to that of the completely mixed process
treatment. except that primary settling is omitted. The process employs
long aeration time, high MLSS (Mixed Liquor Suspended
Solids) concentration and therefore low F/M (Food Micro
I. INTRODUCTION Organisms ratio) [5].
Because of severe environmental impact of dumping
wastewater into sea, Kuwait established wastewater
treatment plants around the country in late 1950’s [1]. In
recent years, treatment of wastewater in Kuwait has become
essential not only for environmental protection of aquatic
ecosystem but also for augmenting limited water resources
by reusing of treated wastewater [2]. The collected sewage in
Kuwait is treated in four main wastewater treatment systems
located at Um-Alhaiman, Sulaibiya, Riqqa and Jahra. The
sewage treatment plants in Kuwait generally employ the
activated sludge treatment process. The basic principal
behind all activated sludge processes is that as
microorganisms grow, they form particles that clump
together. These particles (floc) are allowed to settle to the
bottom of the tank, leaving a relatively clear water free of
organic material and suspended solids [3]. The effluent from
Fig. 1. Process flow diagram of extended aeration sludge process.
secondary treatment plants at Riqqa and Jahra receives
tertiary level treatment of sand filtration. The Sulaibiya plant
started operation in August 2004. The plant provides B. Jahra Wastewater Treatment Plant
advanced treatment through Ultrafiltration, Reverse Osmosis The Jahra sewage plant is located at the northwest of
and Ultra-violet ray processes to refine secondary effluent Kuwait City and adjacent to Jahra satellite town. It started
operation in 1983 with an average design capacity of 86,000
Manuscript received October 12, 2018; revised December 5, 2018. m3/d. Present inflow is 65,000 m3/d. The plant consists of
Saud Al-Shammari is with Environmental Health Departments, College
of Health Science, The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, extended-aeration activated sludge process with clarifier,
P. O. Box 14281, Faiha 72853 Kuwait (e-mail: chlorination, and tertiary filtration. As it has no primary
sb.alshemmari@paaet.edu.kw s.b.alwan@gmail.com, salalwan@gmail.com, clarifiers, raw wastewater flows directly from the preliminary
Abu-Albasher Shahalam is with a Private Company, Kuwait (e-mail:
shaalam@gmail.com).
treatment (coarse screening and grit removal) level to EASP

doi: 10.18178/ijesd.2019.10.2.1148 66
 International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 10, No. 2, February 2019

units and then to the tertiary treatment (sand filtration and All analysis in the laboratory were performed according to
chlorination) units. The Sludge is wasted from the aeration the Standard Methods [6]. The purpose of these long-term
basins and thickened in a sludge thickener before spreading data collection at regular week interval was to observe
thickened sludge on drying beds. Dried sludge is removed average trend and unusual variations in inflow and unit
from the plant by truck loads. Design criteria of the EASP performances through a year-long period.
unit in the plant appear in Table I.
B. Sample Analysis
TABLE I: TECHNICAL DATA ON THE EASP UNIT OF JAHRA WASTEWATER All samples were analyzed at WRP laboratory at Sulaibiya
TREATMENT PLANT (SOURCE: PERSONAL COMMUNICATION, JAHRA PLANT according to standard methods. Jahra plant inflow records
TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT)
Plant Specifics And Equipment Description
were adopted directly from the plant flow records. In
addition, several parameters such as BOD5, COD, oil and
Aeration Tanks grease, and TSS determined at Jahra plant laboratory.
Number of 6
tanks 84.2 m
Length (m) 21.2
Width (m) 4.75 IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Depth (m) 8,400
Volume per 50,000 A. Quality of Influent Raw Wastewater
tank
Total Volume The data collected from influent and effluent lines of the
extended aeration unit were statically analyzed to investigate
Clarifiers Circular with full-length
Type scraper and central sludge the performance of activated sludge process in Jahra
Number of hopper treatment plant. Table II summarize the measurement and
units 6 results obtained from statistical analysis during this
Diameter 38
(m) 2.45 investigation. The tested parameters include TSS, VSS,
Side water 3,475 COD, BOD, oil/grease, TN and TP. The analysis includes
depth (m) 20,844 maximum, minimum, mean average and standard deviation
Volume
per unit (m3)
values. As shown in Table II average TSS in inflow stream is
Total 173 mg/L while average VSS is 111 mg/L. VSS/TSS ratio is
volume (m3) about 65% whereas the typical wastewater has VSS/TSS
Return Sludge Screw Lift ratio of 75% [7]. BOD5, which indicates the biodegradable
Station Open screw-type organic load, has an average of 173 mg/L with maximum and
Type 4 minimum values of 240 and 143 mg/L respectively. Whereas
Number (each) 1.6
Diameter (m) 5.6 COD which represents the content of organic matter that can
Lift (m) 86,000 be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents has an average of 266
Capacity (m3/d) 50 mg/L with maximum and minimum values of 330 and 225
Motor (KW)
mg/L respectively. COD may represent toxic compounds
those are of industrial origin and toxic to biological life.
It provides treatment up to tertiary level with sand Average ratio of BOD/COD found in Jahra plant is about
filtration and disinfection at the final stages. The bulk of the 65% while usual ration in domestic wastewater plants is
effluent of the plant is sent to central reservoir of irrigation about 75%. Therefore, COD measurement indicate that there
water supply at, Data Monitoring Centre (MPW). Part of the is no industrial waste flux in the sewer system. Average TN
effluent is used by site irrigation and tanker supply to content in influent is 38.38 mg/L while its maximum and
irrigation sites. A small portion of the effluent is occasionally minimum values are 58.2 mg/L and 27.4 mg/L respectively.
discharged to sea. These measurements within normal range of domestic
wastewater [7]. Average concentration of NH3- is 19.27 mg/L
with maximum and minimum values of 31 mg/L and 13 mg/L
III. MATERIAL AND METHODS respectively. The relatively high fraction of NH3- reveals that
the sewer system is under anaerobic condition and dissolved
A. Monitoring Jahra Plant oxygen (D.O) in inflow wastewater is very low. Average TP
The Jahra plant samples were collected in two distinct content in influent is 23.57 mg/L while its maximum and
groups: minimum values are 34.3 mg/L and 15.4 mg/L respectively.
 Weekly samples from unit processes. The high phosphorus concentration in the influent might be
 Extensive-day monitoring due to excessive use of detergents for domestic cleaning
Samples were collected once in each week from purposes.
designated locations for 12 months starting from May 2004 B. Effluent Quality of EASP
and ending in April, 2005. The sampling locations were In this study removal of TSS, VSS, BOD, COD. TN and
selected with a purpose of determination of performances of TP was used to investigate the performance of the activated
unit processes in the plant. The sample points were: sludge process of Jahra wastewater treatment plant. The
 Jahra Raw Wastewater line results of all analyses are summarized and presented as
 Aerator effluent line mentioned earlier in Table 2. The results represent the
 Clarifier Effluent line

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 International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 10, No. 2, February 2019

chemical analysis of maximum, minimum and average of concentration for the influent and effluent The influent TP
activated sludge process influent and effluent streams. Fig. 2, was fluctuating during the period of operation between 1.4
3, 4 and 5 show graphic presentation of the performance for and 34.3 mg/L with an average value of 23 mg/L. Whereas,
the system in term of the reduction of values of TSS/VSS, the effluent TP concentration was varied from 6.9-22.1 mg/L
BOD, COD, TN and TP , respectively. In addition, average with an average value of 13.6 mg/L. As Fig. 7 depicts the
removal efficiency of the tested parameters is presented in average, removal of TP is 43%. This restively poor
Fig. 6. elimination of phosphate is expected in this type of
conventional processes. The incomplete phosphorus removal
TABLE II: ANALYSIS OF RAW WASTEWATER AND SECONDARY CLARIFIER
EFFLUENT
may resulted from carbon substrate competition between
phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) and the
Influent Raw Water Clarifier Effluent denitrifying bacteria.
Parameters
Max Min Ave
Std
Max Min Ave
Std Many researchers investigating conventional domestic
wastewater treatment plant utilizing EASP reported similar
TSS (mg/L) 261 132 173 40.4 33.7 17.7 23 5.45
COD 33.1 11.26 observation of limited nutrients reduction [8]-[12].
330 225 266 72.3 38.7 50
(mg/L)
BOD 29 5.1 500
240 143 173 33.5 19.5 25.6
(mg/L) 450
TSS Inflow TSS Effluent
VSS 12.75 3.24 400
138 92 111 23.3 13.6 17.95
(mg/L)

Concentration (mg/L)
350 VSS Influent VSS Effluent
Oil/grease 5.6 0.11
37 18 25.73 1.6 1.2 1.32 300
(mg/L)
250
N-NH3 6.15 1.76
31 13 19.27 11.3 5.10 6.89 200
(mg/L)
150
TN (mg/L) 58.2 27.4 38.35 10.4 27 10.20 16.25 4.89
TP-PO4- 5.92 4.98 100
34.3 15.4 23.57 22.10 6.90 13.65
(mg/L) 50
0
June August October December February April

As shown in Table II and Fig. 2 the average effluent Fig. 2. Monthly variations in TSS and VSS for influent and effluent of EASP.
Fig. 2. Monthely variations in TSS and VSS for influent and effluent of EASP.
concentrations of TSS and VSS are 23 mg/L and 18 mg/L 500
respectively. Average VSS/TSS ratio of 0.78 reveals that the 450
Inflow
volatile content is relatively high in the suspended solids of 400
Effluent
the activated sludge process effluent. As shown in Fig. 7 the 350
BOD (mg/L)

average removal efficiencies of the system for TSS and VSS 300

250
were 86.3 % and 83.5%, respectively. The results clearly
200
show the effectiveness of secondary clarifier in solid 150
separation. The BOD and COD measurements of secondary 100
clarifier effluent are shown in Fig. 3 and 4 respectively. BOD 50

concentration in the effluent is varied from 19.5-33.5 mg/L 0

June August October December February April
with an average value of 25 mg/L. Whereas the COD values Fig. 3. Monthly variations
Fig. 3. Monthely variations inin BOD
BOD forandinfluent
for influent and effluent of EASP.
effluent of EASP.
are ranged between 38.7 to 72.3 mg/L, with an average value
500
of 50 mg/L. The average removal efficiencies of the system
450
Inflow
for BOD, COD were 85% and 81%, respectively (Fig.7). 400
Effluent
This significant reductions in both COD and BOD values 350

revealed that the heterotrophic bacteria which is responsible

COD (mg/L)

300

of degrading the carbonaceous organic were rich in the 250

200
aeration tanks. In addition, it is possible that long detention
150
time in aeration tank enhances the removal efficiency of 100
BOD. 50

Average TN in effluent wastewater is 16 mg/L while its 0

June August October December February April
maximum and minimum values are 27 and 10 mg/L, Fig. 4. Monthly variations in COD for influent and effluent of EASP.
Fig. 4. Monthely variations in COD for influent and effluent of EASP.
respectively (Fig. 5). As shown in Fig. 7 the average removal
100
efficiency of TN is 57%. Usually nitrogen removal domestic
90
wastewater treatment is occurred in two-step processes: 80
Inflow

nitrification followed by denitrification. In this context, low 70 Effluent

nitrogen reduction obtained in this study indicates that the

TN (mg/L)

60

nitrification/denitrification process was incomplete. This is 50

40
common in conventional activated sludge system with poor
30
anoxic conditions. In such system bacteria for the purpose of 20
cell production use only small fraction of nitrogen and the 10
rest remains in wastewater. For better nitrogen reduction, a 0
June August October December February April
denitrification process must be improved by creating anoxic Fig. 5. Monthly variations in TN for influent and effluent of EASP.
Fig. 5. Monthely variations in TN for influent and effluent of EASP.
conditions in the system. Fig. 6 depicts the variation of TP

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50
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 High removal efficiency was achieved for TSS, BOD
and COD compared to conventional activated sludge Saud B. Al-Shammari was born in State of Kuwait.
In 2002 he received his Ph.D. degree in chemical
process. engineering from Manchester University, UK. After
 Average ratio of BOD/COD found in Jahra plant is graduation, he was scientific researcher at Water
about 65% while usual ration in domestic wastewater Technologies Department in Kuwait Institute for
Scientific Research (KISR). Since 2010 to now, he
plants is about 75%. has been professor associate at Environmental Health
 COD measurement indicate that there is no industrial Department in Public Authority for Applied
Education and Training. His research interests include water and wastewater
waste flux in the sewer system. treatment, environmental engineering and seawater desalination. He has
published more than 28 scientific articles, which were published in
international journals.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank Kuwait Institute for Abulbasher Shahalam was born on Bangladesh in 1942. In 1975 has
received his PhD degree in civil engineering from University of Toledo,
Scientific Research for funding the study. Data used in this
USA. His major fields of interest span environmental engineering with
study were collected during the execution of a project entitled specific research work undertaken in biological treatment of wastewater and
“Monitoring and performance evaluation of an activated pollutant migration through soil and ground water. He has published more
sludge process treating municipal wastewater in Kuwait - A than 80 journal publications.
Case Study”.

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