IFAS Design Parameters
Published on by MARCELO CATALAN in Technology
I'm looking for information on the IFAS (Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge) reactor design parameters and an example of dimensioning.
Taxonomy
- Bioreactor
- Industrial Wastewater Treatment
- Sludge Treatment
- Waste Water Treatments
- Wastewater Treatment
- fixed-bed technology
- Activated Sludge
3 Answers
-
Hello Marcelo
IFAS Has been now proven approach to upgrade existing Activated Sludge system without adding any additional basin. The benefit of IFAS design is that you can apply it to as many configurations of activated sludge as possible and thus sometimes designs are highly case specific and perhaps derived after pilot testing.
But there exist a gamut of literature on Sewage Treatment application. Kindly contact me on amit.levapor@gmail.com and I can share more information with you.
-
Dear Marcelo, I would like to know a bit more about your enquiry, what is the project that you have in mind. We design and commercialize this and more related wastewater technologies in Germany where our factories are located. If you are interested, please contact me via private message for more information. Saludos.
-
DEAR MARCELO CATALAN
Good question
Integrated fixed film activated sludge (IFAS) is a relatively new technology that describes any suspended growth system that incorporates an attached growth media within the suspended growth reactor
The Integrated Fixed-film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process is a technology that provides the means for effective nitrogen removal in a smaller footprint than those for conventional biological nitrification processes. It is particularly attractive for retrofitting carbonaceous-only activated sludge treatment plants as, in many cases, it can be added without the need for expanding reactor or clarifier volume. Activated sludge process whereby plastic media is suspended in the aeration basin to provide a surface on which biomass can grow. By using the IFAS process, an activated sludge plant can approximately double its biomass inventory without increasing aeration tank volume or clarifier capacity. This feature of the IFAS process makes it an attractive proposition for carbonaceous-only plants in need of upgrading to nitrification. The IFAS process is an emerging technology that is increasing in popularity, particularly for plants facing new nitrogen-removal permits, but it must be noted that it is not a new process.
There are a number of different approaches to IFAS implementation but the various configurations fall into one of two basic types: “dispersed media” entrapped in the aeration basin, and “fixed media”, such as structured sheet media or knitted fabric media, fixed-in-place in the aeration basin
The Integrated Fixed-film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process combines the advantages of conventional activated sludge with those of biofilm systems by combining the two technologies in a single reactor (see also rotating biological contactor, anammox or trickling filters). Typically, an IFAS configuration will be similar to an activated sludge plant, with biomass carriers (described above) introduced into carefully selected zones within the activated sludge process. This allows two distinct biological populations to act synergistically, with the Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) degrading most of the organic load (BOD), and the biofilm creating a strongly nitrifying population for oxidation of the nitrogenous load (NH4+).
1 Comment
-
Dear Marcelo
Your question is a little complex, I try to send you some basic information that I hope can help you.
You must consider the following points:
1) Wastewater quality and flow pattern:
The presence of FOG, TSS and organic compounds with long molecular chains can decrease the efficiency of IFAS plant.
The contact time in the IFAS biological reactor is very short so strong peak flow can create problem.
2) Biomass support quality and quantity:
The market offers many type of biomass support(carrier) with different plastic material, different specific weight, different specific surface that is the key factor to design and different price that is the economical key factor.
It’s easy to find copy maker with low price but in my opinion if you don’t have experience and serious references to check, it’s much better to contact qualified firm with large experience in carrier design, production and application.
The quantity of carrier to use in your aeration basin is related to the results you need to obtain and to the carrier specific surface(m2/m3).
3) Air supply and diffusers
The specific air supply as m3 of air/ m3 biological reactor is very high compared to conventional activated sludge because the air amount is the same but the aerated basin much smaller.
The carrier presence increases the oxygen transfer rate, how much is related to carrier quantity and characteristic, in any case the diffusers distribution on the tank bottom will be very dense and it’s necessary to adopt diffusers installation system to facilitate the diffusers substitution in the presence of carrier.
Another important factor is the mixing intensity if it’s high a bigger part of the external carrier surface will be without biomass(brush effect) if it’s low the aeration tank condition will be not homogeneous.
4) Final clarification
The sludge coming from biological reactor is fine and dispersed with poor settling capacity so I prefer to use DAF plant. The TSS in the DAF effluent are less than 30 mg/l and the floated sludge is concentrated to 2% and more.
IFAS plants must be evaluated when it’s necessary to reduce the plant dimension for land shortage or for underground installation and when the civil works cost is very high.
The aeration basin can be 3-4 times smaller than in conventional activated sludge and the DAF requires 5 times less surface than typical settling tank.
In many cases IFAS plants are used to increase the organic load capacity for existing plant without civil work increase; normally the results are good but it’s necessary to study very carefully case by case.
Dear
Your question is a little complex, I try to send you some basic information that I hope can help you.
You must consider the following points:
1) Wastewater quality and flow pattern:
The presence of FOG, TSS and organic compounds with long molecular chains can decrease the efficiency of IFAS plant.
The contact time in the IFAS biological reactor is very short so strong peak flow can create problem.
2) Biomass support quality and quantity:
The market offers many type of biomass support(carrier) with different plastic material, different specific weight, different specific surface that is the key factor to design and different price that is the economical key factor.
It’s easy to find copy maker with low price but in my opinion if you don’t have experience and serious references to check, it’s much better to contact qualified firm with large experience in carrier design, production and application.
The quantity of carrier to use in your aeration basin is related to the results you need to obtain and to the carrier specific surface(m2/m3).
3) Air supply and diffusers
The specific air supply as m3 of air/ m3 biological reactor is very high compared to conventional activated sludge because the air amount is the same but the aerated basin much smaller.
The carrier presence increases the oxygen transfer rate, how much is related to carrier quantity and characteristic, in any case the diffusers distribution on the tank bottom will be very dense and it’s necessary to adopt diffusers installation system to facilitate the diffusers substitution in the presence of carrier.
Another important factor is the mixing intensity if it’s high a bigger part of the external carrier surface will be without biomass(brush effect) if it’s low the aeration tank condition will be not homogeneous.
4) Final clarification
The sludge coming from biological reactor is fine and dispersed with poor settling capacity so I prefer to use DAF plant. The TSS in the DAF effluent are less than 30 mg/l and the floated sludge is concentrated to 2% and more.
IFAS plants must be evaluated when it’s necessary to reduce the plant dimension for land shortage or for underground installation and when the civil works cost is very high.
The aeration basin can be 3-4 times smaller than in conventional activated sludge and the DAF requires 5 times less surface than typical settling tank.
In many cases IFAS plants are used to increase the organic load capacity for existing plant without civil work increase; normally the results are good but it’s necessary to study very carefully case by case.
Dear
Your question is a little complex, I try to send you some basic information that I hope can help you.
You must consider the following points:
1) Wastewater quality and flow pattern:
The presence of FOG, TSS and organic compounds with long molecular chains can decrease the efficiency of IFAS plant.
The contact time in the IFAS biological reactor is very short so strong peak flow can create problem.
2) Biomass support quality and quantity:
The market offers many type of biomass support(carrier) with different plastic material, different specific weight, different specific surface that is the key factor to design and different price that is the economical key factor.
It’s easy to find copy maker with low price but in my opinion if you don’t have experience and serious references to check, it’s much better to contact qualified firm with large experience in carrier design, production and application.
The quantity of carrier to use in your aeration basin is related to the results you need to obtain and to the carrier specific surface(m2/m3).
3) Air supply and diffusers
The specific air supply as m3 of air/ m3 biological reactor is very high compared to conventional activated sludge because the air amount is the same but the aerated basin much smaller.
The carrier presence increases the oxygen transfer rate, how much is related to carrier quantity and characteristic, in any case the diffusers distribution on the tank bottom will be very dense and it’s necessary to adopt diffusers installation system to facilitate the diffusers substitution in the presence of carrier.
Another important factor is the mixing intensity if it’s high a bigger part of the external carrier surface will be without biomass(brush effect) if it’s low the aeration tank condition will be not homogeneous.
4) Final clarification
The sludge coming from biological reactor is fine and dispersed with poor settling capacity so I prefer to use DAF plant. The TSS in the DAF effluent are less than 30 mg/l and the floated sludge is concentrated to 2% and more.
IFAS plants must be evaluated when it’s necessary to reduce the plant dimension for land shortage or for underground installation and when the civil works cost is very high.
The aeration basin can be 3-4 times smaller than in conventional activated sludge and the DAF requires 5 times less surface than typical settling tank.
In many cases IFAS plants are used to increase the organic load capacity for existing plant without civil work increase; normally the results are good but it’s necessary to study very carefully case by case.
Dear
Your question is a little complex, I try to send you some basic information that I hope can help you.
You must consider the following points:
1) Wastewater quality and flow pattern:
The presence of FOG, TSS and organic compounds with long molecular chains can decrease the efficiency of IFAS plant.
The contact time in the IFAS biological reactor is very short so strong peak flow can create problem.
2) Biomass support quality and quantity:
The market offers many type of biomass support(carrier) with different plastic material, different specific weight, different specific surface that is the key factor to design and different price that is the economical key factor.
It’s easy to find copy maker with low price but in my opinion if you don’t have experience and serious references to check, it’s much better to contact qualified firm with large experience in carrier design, production and application.
The quantity of carrier to use in your aeration basin is related to the results you need to obtain and to the carrier specific surface(m2/m3).
3) Air supply and diffusers
The specific air supply as m3 of air/ m3 biological reactor is very high compared to conventional activated sludge because the air amount is the same but the aerated basin much smaller.
The carrier presence increases the oxygen transfer rate, how much is related to carrier quantity and characteristic, in any case the diffusers distribution on the tank bottom will be very dense and it’s necessary to adopt diffusers installation system to facilitate the diffusers substitution in the presence of carrier.
Another important factor is the mixing intensity if it’s high a bigger part of the external carrier surface will be without biomass(brush effect) if it’s low the aeration tank condition will be not homogeneous.
4) Final clarification
The sludge coming from biological reactor is fine and dispersed with poor settling capacity so I prefer to use DAF plant. The TSS in the DAF effluent are less than 30 mg/l and the floated sludge is concentrated to 2% and more.
IFAS plants must be evaluated when it’s necessary to reduce the plant dimension for land shortage or for underground installation and when the civil works cost is very high.
The aeration basin can be 3-4 times smaller than in conventional activated sludge and the DAF requires 5 times less surface than typical settling tank.
In many cases IFAS plants are used to increase the organic load capacity for existing plant without civil work increase; normally the results are good but it’s necessary to study very carefully case by case.
Dear
Your question is a little complex, I try to send you some basic information that I hope can help you.
You must consider the following points:
1) Wastewater quality and flow pattern:
The presence of FOG, TSS and organic compounds with long molecular chains can decrease the efficiency of IFAS plant.
The contact time in the IFAS biological reactor is very short so strong peak flow can create problem.
2) Biomass support quality and quantity:
The market offers many type of biomass support(carrier) with different plastic material, different specific weight, different specific surface that is the key factor to design and different price that is the economical key factor.
It’s easy to find copy maker with low price but in my opinion if you don’t have experience and serious references to check, it’s much better to contact qualified firm with large experience in carrier design, production and application.
The quantity of carrier to use in your aeration basin is related to the results you need to obtain and to the carrier specific surface(m2/m3).
3) Air supply and diffusers
The specific air supply as m3 of air/ m3 biological reactor is very high compared to conventional activated sludge because the air amount is the same but the aerated basin much smaller.
The carrier presence increases the oxygen transfer rate, how much is related to carrier quantity and characteristic, in any case the diffusers distribution on the tank bottom will be very dense and it’s necessary to adopt diffusers installation system to facilitate the diffusers substitution in the presence of carrier.
Another important factor is the mixing intensity if it’s high a bigger part of the external carrier surface will be without biomass(brush effect) if it’s low the aeration tank condition will be not homogeneous.
4) Final clarification
The sludge coming from biological reactor is fine and dispersed with poor settling capacity so I prefer to use DAF plant. The TSS in the DAF effluent are less than 30 mg/l and the floated sludge is concentrated to 2% and more.
IFAS plants must be evaluated when it’s necessary to reduce the plant dimension for land shortage or for underground installation and when the civil works cost is very high.
The aeration basin can be 3-4 times smaller than in conventional activated sludge and the DAF requires 5 times less surface than typical settling tank.
In many cases IFAS plants are used to increase the organic load capacity for existing plant without civil work increase; normally the results are good but it’s necessary to study very carefully case by case.
Dear
Your question is a little complex, I try to send you some basic information that I hope can help you.
You must consider the following points:
1) Wastewater quality and flow pattern:
The presence of FOG, TSS and organic compounds with long molecular chains can decrease the efficiency of IFAS plant.
The contact time in the IFAS biological reactor is very short so strong peak flow can create problem.
2) Biomass support quality and quantity:
The market offers many type of biomass support(carrier) with different plastic material, different specific weight, different specific surface that is the key factor to design and different price that is the economical key factor.
It’s easy to find copy maker with low price but in my opinion if you don’t have experience and serious references to check, it’s much better to contact qualified firm with large experience in carrier design, production and application.
The quantity of carrier to use in your aeration basin is related to the results you need to obtain and to the carrier specific surface(m2/m3).
3) Air supply and diffusers
The specific air supply as m3 of air/ m3 biological reactor is very high compared to conventional activated sludge because the air amount is the same but the aerated basin much smaller.
The carrier presence increases the oxygen transfer rate, how much is related to carrier quantity and characteristic, in any case the diffusers distribution on the tank bottom will be very dense and it’s necessary to adopt diffusers installation system to facilitate the diffusers substitution in the presence of carrier.
Another important factor is the mixing intensity if it’s high a bigger part of the external carrier surface will be without biomass(brush effect) if it’s low the aeration tank condition will be not homogeneous.
4) Final clarification
The sludge coming from biological reactor is fine and dispersed with poor settling capacity so I prefer to use DAF plant. The TSS in the DAF effluent are less than 30 mg/l and the floated sludge is concentrated to 2% and more.
IFAS plants must be evaluated when it’s necessary to reduce the plant dimension for land shortage or for underground installation and when the civil works cost is very high.
The aeration basin can be 3-4 times smaller than in conventional activated sludge and the DAF requires 5 times less surface than typical settling tank.
In many cases IFAS plants are used to increase the organic load capacity for existing plant without civil work increase; normally the results are good but it’s necessary to study very carefully case by case.
Dear
Your question is a little complex, I try to send you some basic information that I hope can help you.
You must consider the following points:
1) Wastewater quality and flow pattern:
The presence of FOG, TSS and organic compounds with long molecular chains can decrease the efficiency of IFAS plant.
The contact time in the IFAS biological reactor is very short so strong peak flow can create problem.
2) Biomass support quality and quantity:
The market offers many type of biomass support(carrier) with different plastic material, different specific weight, different specific surface that is the key factor to design and different price that is the economical key factor.
It’s easy to find copy maker with low price but in my opinion if you don’t have experience and serious references to check, it’s much better to contact qualified firm with large experience in carrier design, production and application.
The quantity of carrier to use in your aeration basin is related to the results you need to obtain and to the carrier specific surface(m2/m3).
3) Air supply and diffusers
The specific air supply as m3 of air/ m3 biological reactor is very high compared to conventional activated sludge because the air amount is the same but the aerated basin much smaller.
The carrier presence increases the oxygen transfer rate, how much is related to carrier quantity and characteristic, in any case the diffusers distribution on the tank bottom will be very dense and it’s necessary to adopt diffusers installation system to facilitate the diffusers substitution in the presence of carrier.
Another important factor is the mixing intensity if it’s high a bigger part of the external carrier surface will be without biomass(brush effect) if it’s low the aeration tank condition will be not homogeneous.
4) Final clarification
The sludge coming from biological reactor is fine and dispersed with poor settling capacity so I prefer to use DAF plant. The TSS in the DAF effluent are less than 30 mg/l and the floated sludge is concentrated to 2% and more.
IFAS plants must be evaluated when it’s necessary to reduce the plant dimension for land shortage or for underground installation and when the civil works cost is very high.
The aeration basin can be 3-4 times smaller than in conventional activated sludge and the DAF requires 5 times less surface than typical settling tank.
In many cases IFAS plants are used to increase the organic load capacity for existing plant without civil work increase; normally the results are good but it’s necessary to study very carefully case by case.
-