Question

The secondary clarifier receives flow from the _______ _____ and is used to separate the solids from the liquid.

Answer 1

The secondary clarifier receives flow from the primary clarifier and is used to separate the solids from the liquid.

Explanation

In wastewater treatment, the secondary clarifier is the recipient of effluent from the primary clarifier. The primary clarifier precedes the secondary stage in the treatment process. Its role is to initially separate solid waste from wastewater, easing the load for further treatment.

Once the wastewater moves to the secondary clarifier, its purpose is to further purify the liquid by allowing any remaining solids to settle. This step ensures a clearer liquid, which can then undergo additional treatment or be discharged safely.

The secondary clarifier acts as a crucial step in the process of separating solids from the liquid, making it an integral part of wastewater treatment plants globally.

Answer 2

The secondary clarifier receives flow from the secondary aeration tank and is crucial for separating solids from liquids in wastewater treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The secondary clarifier receives flow from the secondary aeration tank and is used to separate the solids from the liquid. In the secondary treatment stage of wastewater treatment, microorganisms are used to decompose organic material and absorb nutrients. In a secondary clarifier, these microorganisms and remaining solids settle out of the effluent as activated sludge, which is then processed further or recirculated back into the system to improve the breakdown of organic matter.

In contrast, initial solid separation occurs in the primary treatment at the sedimentation tank, also called the primary clarifier, where sludge are removed. Secondary treatment focuses on biological matter removal, often through microbial action in the presence of oxygen. Finally, in some cases, tertiary treatment offers an additional cleaning phase, sometimes necessary when the effluent is discharged into sensitive ecosystems.