Why Wastewater Analysis Needed ?
It’s important to know certain parameters such as flow rate, process steps for industrial facilities, discharge standards and characterization of wastewater for plant design of a wastewater treatment plant suiting needs of the client. We have to make accurate laboratory tests to decide the optimum wastewater solution. Although all data provided is essential for plant optimization, if there are changing variables in wastewater it’s essential to know these as well. Changes in flow rate and wastewater characteristics, pollutant concentrations are vital on modelling wastewater treatment plant.
Depending on these changes the design and cost can change dramatically. Most of these data can be determined or measured with certain equipment on site, such as flow meter or TDS meters. But to understand what’s required for the plant design, certain series of analysis is needed to determine characterization of the wastewater.
Important Parameters of Wastewater Analysis
Parameters such as COD, BOD, TSS, pH and such define characteristics of wastewater. These parameters can be measured with test samples in a wastewater laboratory. Parameters that require analysis in wastewater are as listed below;
- COD – Chemical Oxygen Demand
- BOD – Biological Oxygen demand
- TKN – Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
- TP – Total Phosphorus
- Chlorides
- Heavy Metals
- TSS – Total Suspended Solids
- Other parameters depending on the process
Laboratory Analysis of Wastewater
In planning step of a new wastewater treatment plant, it’s important to have a full understanding of the current wastewater. This approach not only allows designing a treatment plant within budget, but also determine plant units and capacity needed at early stage.
These parameters can be measured with test samples in our central office laboratory as well. It Depending on the needs, if chemical treatment is needed jar tests can be also performed on samples. On jar test, sample wastewater can be treated with different chemicals in different concentrations. On each test, chemical consumption are recorded and analysis are done on supernatant. This allows determining optimal equipment and stages more efficiently.
In active sludge processes microbiological analysis also should be performed on samples. Active sludge consists of bacteria that consumes pollutants in wastewater as nutrition, treating wastewater in the process. In biological systems bacteria population and kind living in the sludge is important to follow efficiency of the treatment. Visual microbiological examination is conducted with a microscope, when done periodically this allows a fast reaction time if there is a problem with the active sludge.
Regardless, before designing and after start-up of the plant, periodical analysis should be conducted in raw wastewater and discharge.