MODELLING OF FULL-SCALE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS: HOW DETAILED SHOULD IT BE?

Dynamic mathematical modelling of full-scale wastewater treatment plants requires an optimal level of detail to be accurate, effective, but still manageable. Single process models tend to oversimplify the complexities of a large-scale plant and result in erroneous calibrated parameter values or limited predictive power for the model – on the other hand, modelling of every process and process unit is usually impractical, since it cannot be supported by reliable plant data, and requires prohibitive sampling costs and effort. Level of aggregation, settler dimensionality and reactivity, and plug-flow hydraulics were investigated with the help of a sophisticated dynamic modelling package. The results show that there is no general rule or global ‘optimal level’ of modelling – the required modelling detail is a function of influent flow and loading levels, and processes to be simulated (BOD removal, nitrification-denitrification, biological phosphorus removal, settling). In the case of real-life plants, supportable modelling level is often constrained by data availability and reliability.

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Case studies in dynamic modelling of large-scale wastewater treatment plants

Mathematical Modelling of Systems ◽

10.1080/13873959508837017 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 185-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Imre Takacs ◽

Gilles G Patry ◽

Bruce watson ◽

Bruce GALL

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Case Studies ◽

Large Scale ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Dynamic Modelling

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Evaluation and design of full-scale wastewater treatment plants using biological process models

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.1016/0273-1223(95)00197-u ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Biological Process ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Full Scale ◽

Process Models

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A practical protocol for dynamic modelling of activated sludge systems

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2002.0100 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 45 (6) ◽

pp. 127-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

J.J.W. Hulsbeek ◽

J. Kruit ◽

P.J. Roeleveld ◽

M.C.M. van Loosdrecht

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Dynamic Modelling ◽

Simulation Models ◽

Full Scale ◽

Applied Water ◽

Time Investment ◽

Practical Experiences ◽

Set Up ◽

Activated Sludge Systems

Use of dynamic simulation models has become standard practice in The Netherlands. Since the introduction around 5 years ago more then 100 full scale wastewater treatment plants have been modelled. Initially very different approaches have been used varying in calibration approach, amount of sampling and time investment. Based on the accumulated practical experiences the Dutch Foundation of Applied Water Research STOWA has stimulated the development of a protocol to aid in the set-up and calibration of models for full scale wastewater treatment plants. Herein the aim was to develop a protocol, which in practice was easy to use, minimising time and costs effort, but give a reliable and useable method. In this paper this protocol is briefly described.

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Evaluation and design of full-scale wastewater treatment plants using biological process models

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1995.0112 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 245-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Glen T. Daigger ◽

Daniel Nolasco

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Steady State ◽

Phosphorus Removal ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Full Scale ◽

Process Models ◽

Plant Performance ◽

Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽

Biological Phosphorus ◽

Steady State Performance

Results from application of the IAWQ Activated Sludge Model No. 1, either with or without the excess biological phosphorus removal model of Dold, to thirteen full-scale wastewater treatment plants are presented. For nitrogen removal applications the model is capable of accurately predicting full-scale plant performance and trends in performance, even using model default parameters. Additional work is needed to allow accurate predictions of the effect of reactor configuration and oxygen transfer systems on plant performance. The model of Dold accurately characterized the steady-state performance of biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal systems, but not their dynamic behavior. Detailed wastewater characterization is necessary to allow accurate prediction of the steady-state performance of biological phosphorus removal systems. Further work is necessary to demonstrate its applicability to dynamic applications.

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Bottlenecks in the Implementation of On-Site Wastewater Treatment Plants on a Large Scale in The Netherlands

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1990.0214 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 22 (3-4) ◽

pp. 291-298

Author(s):

Frits A. Fastenau ◽

Jaap H. J. M. van der Graaf ◽

Gerard Martijnse

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Large Scale ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Housing Stock ◽

Research Work ◽

Field Research ◽

Domestic Wastewater ◽

Research Programme ◽

Definition Of

More than 95 % of the total housing stock in the Netherlands is connected to central sewerage systems and in most cases the wastewater is treated biologically. As connection to central sewerage systems has reached its economic limits, interest in on-site treatment of the domestic wastewater of the remaining premises is increasing. A large scale research programme into on-site wastewater treatment up to population equivalents of 200 persons has therefore been initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and Environment. Intensive field-research work did establish that the technological features of most on-site biological treatment systems were satisfactory. A large scale implementation of these systems is however obstructed in different extents by problems of an organisational, financial and/or juridical nature and management difficulties. At present research is carried out to identify these bottlenecks and to analyse possible solutions. Some preliminary results are given which involve the following ‘bottlenecks':-legislation: absence of co-ordination and absence of a definition of ‘surface water';-absence of subsidies;-ownership: divisions in task-setting of Municipalities and Waterboards; divisions involved with cost-sharing;-inspection; operational control and maintenance; organisation of management;-discharge permits;-pollution levy;-sludge disposal. Final decisions and practical elaboration of policies towards on-site treatment will have to be formulated in a broad discussion with all the authorities and interest groups involved.

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Automatic buffer capacity based sensor for effluent quality monitoring

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1996.0008 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 81-87

Author(s):

L. Van Vooren ◽

P. Willems ◽

J. P. Ottoy ◽

G. C. Vansteenkiste ◽

W. Verstraete

Keyword(s):

Wastewater Treatment ◽

Buffer Capacity ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Data Interpretation ◽

Full Scale ◽

Quality Monitoring ◽

Effluent Quality ◽

Capacity Curves ◽

On Line

The use of an automatic on-line titration unit for monitoring the effluent quality of wastewater plants is presented. Buffer capacity curves of different effluent types were studied and validation results are presented for both domestic and industrial full-scale wastewater treatment plants. Ammonium and ortho-phosphate monitoring of the effluent were established by using a simple titration device, connected to a data-interpretation unit. The use of this sensor as the activator of an effluent quality proportional sampler is discussed.

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