A Statistical Documentation of the Performance
Of Activated Sludge And Aerated Stabilization Basin
Systems Operating in the Paper Industry
JAMES J. McKEOWN, Research Engineer
DAVID B. BUCKLEY, Research Engineer
Northeast Regional Center
National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc.
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts 02155
ISAIAH GELLMAN, Technical Director
National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc.
New York, New York 10016
INTRODUCTION
Purpose of Study
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 require that criteria be
published which set forth the best practicable control technology currently available
(BPCTCA) for various industries. Prior to the passage of the 1972 Amendments, the
Environmental Protection Agency had assembled certain criteria for the pulp and paper
industry in order to aid in processing Refuse Act discharge permit applications. These
criteria are called "Effluent Limitation Guidance" (1) and were distributed on June 9,1972.
Subsequent to the distribution of the EPA "Effluent Limitation Guidance," EPA
authorized a study to provide additional information on effluent limitations for the
unbleached kraft, semi-chemical and paperboard segment of the pulp and paper industry.
This resulted in the publication of proposed effluent limitations in the EPA Development
Document, January, 1974 (2).
The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement had assembled performance
data for biological systems operating within the industry. A study was therefore organized
(3, 4) to determine the actual performance of certain of the industry's treatment systems
based on file data with respect to biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids
discharge.
A comparison analysis of effluent quality obtained by incorporating Best Practicable
Control Technology Currently Available (BPCTCA) was undertaken. This paper presents
the analysis of the performance of existing biological systems, engineered and designed
using common engineering guidelines and which, as a composite, represent BPCTCA.
Figure 1 illustrates such a composite picture of external process control.
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Figure 1 — Schematic diagram of technology provided to abate the
release of BOD and suspended solids in mill effluents
to receiving waters. NCASI
survey — 1973.
Extent of Application of Secondary Treatment Technology
The primary function of biological treatment is to remove substrate organic material
which, if discharged untreated, would create an oxygen deficit in receiving waters in
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