Plant-wide modelling and simulation using steady-state data: a case study of the Gliwice WWTP, Poland

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Sochacki ◽  
Jakub Kubiatowicz ◽  
Joanna Surmacz-Górska ◽  
Joanna Ćwikła

In last decade the focal point of the activated sludge (AS) modelling shifted from a secondary-treatment to a plant-wide level. This new approach offers more possibilities, therefore demands more effort and expertise from a modeller. This paper presents a plant-wide approach to modelling and simulation of a full-scale AS wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The construction and routine operational data of the full-scale Central WWTP in Gliwice (Poland) were used in this study to develop an integrated model of the water and sludge lines of the plant. The core of the plant model was the Activated Sludge Model No.1 (ASM1), which combined with sub-models of the other processes, was implemented in the WEST® Software version 3.7.6. The calibration strategy, verification and predictive capacity of the model are discussed. The calibrated model permitted acceptable accuracy of the simulation, yet limited data restrained its scope. Thus, the obtained mathematical description of the plant is a preliminary yet sound basis for a more versatile model. The model limitations and opportunities for its further applications and development are discussed.

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Fatima ◽  
S. Jamal Khan

In this study, the performance of wastewater treatment plant located at sector I-9 Islamabad, Pakistan, was evaluated. This full scale domestic wastewater treatment plant is based on conventional activated sludge process. The parameters which were monitored regularly included total suspended solids (TSS), mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). It was found that the biological degradation efficiency of the plant was below the desired levels in terms of COD and BOD. Also the plant operators were not maintaining consistent sludge retention time (SRT). Abrupt discharge of MLSS through the Surplus Activated sludge (SAS) pump was the main reason for the low MLSS in the aeration tank and consequently low treatment performance. In this study the SRT was optimized based on desired MLSS concentration between 3,000–3,500 mg/L and required performance in terms of BOD, COD and TSS. This study revealed that SRT is a very important operational parameter and its knowledge and correct implementation by the plant operators should be mandatory.


2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanjun Mao ◽  
Xie Quan ◽  
Huimin Zhao ◽  
Yaobin Zhang ◽  
Shuo Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract The activated sludge (AS) process is widely applied in dyestuff wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs); however, the nitrogen removal efficiency is relatively low and the effluent does not meet the indirect discharge standards before being discharged into the industrial park's WWTP. Hence it is necessary to upgrade the WWTP with more advanced technologies. Moving bed biofilm processes with suspended carriers in an aerobic tank are promising methods due to enhanced nitrification and denitrification. Herein, a pilot-scale integrated free-floating biofilm and activated sludge (IFFAS) process was employed to investigate the feasibility of enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs). The results showed that the effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium nitrate (NH4+-N) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations of the IFFAS process were significantly lower than those of the AS process, and could meet the indirect discharge standards. PCR-DGGE and FISH results indicated that more nitrifiers and denitrifiers co-existed in the IFFAS system, promoting simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. Based on the pilot results, the IFFAS process was used to upgrade the full-scale AS process, and the effluent COD, NH4+-N and TN of the IFFAS process were 91–291 mg/L, 10.6–28.7 mg/L and 18.9–48.6 mg/L, stably meeting the indirect discharge standards and demonstrating the advantages of IFFAS in dyestuff wastewater treatment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica R. Brand ◽  
Laurel D. Crosby ◽  
Craig S. Criddle

ABSTRACTMultiple clades within a microbial taxon often coexist within natural and engineered environments. Because closely related clades have similar metabolic potential, it is unclear how diversity is sustained and what factors drive niche differentiation. In this study, we retrieved three near-complete Competibacter lineage genomes from activated sludge metagenomes at a full-scale pure oxygen activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. The three genomes represent unique taxa within theCompetibacteraceae. A comparison of the genomes revealed differences in capacity for exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis, glucose fermentation to lactate, and motility. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), we monitored these clades over a 2-year period. The clade possessing genes for motility and lacking genes for EPS biosynthesis (CPB_P15) was dominant during periods of suspended solids in the effluent. Further analysis of operational parameters indicate that the dominance of the CPB_P15 clade is associated with low-return activated sludge recycle rates and low wasting rates, conditions that maintain relatively high levels of biomass within the system.IMPORTANCEMembers of the Competibacter lineage are relevant in biotechnology as glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs). Here, we document the presence of threeCompetibacteraceaeclades in a full-scale activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and their linkage to specific operational conditions. We find evidence for niche differentiation among the three clades with temporal variability in clade dominance that correlates with operational changes at the treatment plant. Specifically, we observe episodic dominance of a likely motile clade during periods of elevated effluent turbidity, as well as episodic dominance of closely related nonmotile clades that likely enhance floc formation during periods of low effluent turbidity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
pp. 2519-2526 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Mielczarek ◽  
A. M. Saunders ◽  
P. Larsen ◽  
M. Albertsen ◽  
M. Stevenson ◽  
...  

Since 2006 more than 50 Danish full-scale wastewater treatment plants with nutrient removal have been investigated in a project called ‘The Microbial Database for Danish Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plants with Nutrient Removal (MiDas-DK)’. Comprehensive sets of samples have been collected, analyzed and associated with extensive operational data from the plants. The community composition was analyzed by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) supported by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and deep metagenomics. MiDas-DK has been a powerful tool to study the complex activated sludge ecosystems, and, besides many scientific articles on fundamental issues on mixed communities encompassing nitrifiers, denitrifiers, bacteria involved in P-removal, hydrolysis, fermentation, and foaming, the project has provided results that can be used to optimize the operation of full-scale plants and carry out trouble-shooting. A core microbial community has been defined comprising the majority of microorganisms present in the plants. Time series have been established, providing an overview of temporal variations in the different plants. Interestingly, although most microorganisms were present in all plants, there seemed to be plant-specific factors that controlled the population composition thereby keeping it unique in each plant over time. Statistical analyses of FISH and operational data revealed some correlations, but less than expected. MiDas-DK (www.midasdk.dk) will continue over the next years and we hope the approach can inspire others to make similar projects in other parts of the world to get a more comprehensive understanding of microbial communities in wastewater engineering.


1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 383-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Melcer ◽  
J. Bell ◽  
D. Thompson

Pilot plant and full scale investigations were carried out to determine the fate of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in activated sludge aeration basins. Treatability parameters for each VOC were estimated from these investigations and used to calibrate TOXCHEM, computer-based steady state and dynamic models developed to predict the fate of VOCs in municipal activated sludge systems. The pilot plant was fed with wastewater from two different municipal sources. It was operated in parallel with a municipal treatment plant and was found to adequately simulate the performance of the full scale plant. Data suggest that the current models, calibrated with pilot plant data, may produce useful predictions of the fate of VOCs in full scale plants.


2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Bertanza ◽  
M. Papa ◽  
R. Pedrazzani ◽  
C. Repice ◽  
M. Dal Grande

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are considered to be a major source for the release in the aquatic environment of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Ozone has proved to be a suitable solution for polishing secondary domestic effluents. In this work, the performance of a full-scale ozonation plant was investigated in order to assess the removal efficiency of four target EDCs: nonylphenol, nonylphenol monoethoxylate, nonylphenol diethoxylate and bisphenol A. The studied system was the tertiary treatment stage of a municipal WWTP which receives an important industrial (textile) load. Chemical analyses showed that the considered substances occurred with a significant variability, typical of real wastewaters; based on this, ozonation performance was carefully evaluated and it appeared to be negatively affected by flow-rate increase (during rainy days, with consequent contact time reduction). Moreover, EDCs' measured removal efficiency was lower than what could be predicted based on literature data, because of the relatively high residual content of biorefractory compounds still present after biological treatment.


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