Towards mechanistic models for activated sludge flocculation under different conditions based on inverse problems

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 1946-1953 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Torfs ◽  
G. Bellandi ◽  
I. Nopens

Experimental data of Ca-induced activated sludge flocculation under different conditions of temperature and dissolved oxygen are investigated in order to model the influence of changing physical and chemical factors. However, current kernel structures for collision frequency and efficiency are unable to describe activated sludge flocculation data. Therefore, an earlier developed methodology based on an inverse problem is applied, yielding empirical models, to find out how flocculation is affected by these different environmental conditions. This contribution shows the useful application of inverse problems to improve the understanding of complex aggregation mechanisms.

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Nopens ◽  
N. Nere ◽  
P.A. Vanrolleghem ◽  
D. Ramkrishna

Many systems contain populations of individuals. Often, they are regarded as a lumped phase, which might, for some applications, lead to inadequate model predictive power. An alternative framework, Population Balance Models, has been used here to describe such a system, activated sludge flocculation in which particle size is the property one wants to model. An important problem to solve in population balance modelling is to determine the model structure that adequately describes experimentally obtained data on for instance, the time evolution of the floc size distribution. In this contribution, an alternative method based on solving the inverse problem is used to recover the model structure from the data. In this respect, the presence of similarity in the data simplifies the problem significantly. Similarity was found and the inverse problem could be solved. A forward simulation then confirmed the quality of the model structure to describe the experimental data.


The concept of fossil Lagerstätten (Seilacher 1970) has changed our attitude and approach to fossiliferous sites from that, essentially of the collector, to a geologically based evaluation leading to an understanding of the environmental conditions pertaining, and hence to predicting sites elsewhere and at other times (see, for example Wade 1970; Collins et al. 1983). Fossil Lagerstätten, particularly those of the conservation type (deposited under anoxic conditions and by smothering) emphasized here by Professor Seilacher, owe their origin to the combination of a number of factors as Seilacher (1970) explained. These may be considered as: (i) the extrinsic factors relating to the tectonic-sedimentary setting, and the physical and chemical factors (for example, turbulence and water chemistry), and, (ii) intrinsic factors directly related to the morphology and ecology of the organisms. Both sets show change over the Phanerozoic (presumably with the exception of gravity).


1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 1475-1478 ◽  
Author(s):  
A P. C. Warner ◽  
G. A. Ekama ◽  
G v. R. Marais

The laboratory scale experimental investigation comprised a 6 day sludge age activated sludge process, the waste sludge of which was fed to a number of digesters operated as follows: single reactor flow through digesters at 4 or 6 days sludge age, under aerobic and anoxic-aerobic conditions (with 1,5 and 4 h cycle times) and 3-in-series flow through aerobic digesters each at 4 days sludge age; all digesters were fed draw-and-fill wise once per day. The general kinetic model for the aerobic activated sludge process set out by Dold et al., (1980) and extended to the anoxic-aerobic process by van Haandel et al., (1981) simulated accurately all the experimental data (Figs 1 to 4) without the need for adjusting the kinetic constants. Both theoretical simulations and experimental data indicate that (i) the rate of volatile solids destruction is not affected by the incorporation of anoxic cycles and (ii) the specific denitrification rate is independent of sludge age and is K4T = 0,046(l,029)(T-20) mgNO3-N/(mg active VSS. d) i.e. about 2/3 of that in the secondary anoxic of the single sludge activated sludge stystem. An important consequence of (i) and (ii) above is that denitrification can be integrated easily in the steady state digester model of Marais and Ekama (1976) and used for design (Warner et al., 1983).


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 727-738
Author(s):  
Victor Sadovnichii ◽  
Yaudat Talgatovich Sultanaev ◽  
Azamat Akhtyamov

AbstractWe consider a new class of inverse problems on the recovery of the coefficients of differential equations from a finite set of eigenvalues of a boundary value problem with unseparated boundary conditions. A finite number of eigenvalues is possible only for problems in which the roots of the characteristic equation are multiple. The article describes solutions to such a problem for equations of the second, third, and fourth orders on a graph with three, four, and five edges. The inverse problem with an arbitrary number of edges is solved similarly.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Othmane Baiz ◽  
Hicham Benaissa ◽  
Zakaria Faiz ◽  
Driss El Moutawakil

AbstractIn the present paper, we study inverse problems for a class of nonlinear hemivariational inequalities. We prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution to inverse problems. Finally, we introduce an inverse problem for an electro-elastic frictional contact problem to illustrate our results.


1934 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Buxton

During the last decade, entomologists have made progress in understanding the environment in which certain insects live; in particular, we begin to understand the effect of certain physical and chemical factors, which make up a part of the environment. With this gain in knowledge, it is sometimes possible to forecast outbreaks of insects and of diseases conveyed by them, and one can sometimes say that a particular alteration of the environment will result in loss or gain. But so far as mosquitos are concerned, one must admit that though much work has been devoted to the analytical study of the water in which the early stages are passed, the results are disappointing. A consideration of the published work suggests several reasons for this. Investigation into the ecology of the mosquito has had a vogue, and much of it has been done by workers who were isolated and whose knowledge of chemical technique and freshwater biology was limited. Apart from that, the inherent difficulties are great, for the worker must hunt for the limiting chemical and physical factors among a host of others which are doubtless unimportant, and there are few clues to indicate which of the chemical constituents of the water affects the mosquito. The data are therefore voluminous and it is difficult to reduce them to order and present them so that they can be readily understood.


2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Marchetti ◽  
M. Tassinari ◽  
S. Marchetti

AbstractWhen compared with other menadione derivatives such as menadione sodium bisulphite (MSB), menadione nicotinamide bisulphite (MNB), an organic salt combining menadione and nicotinamide, shows better stability towards physical and chemical factors once it is added to pre-mixes or foods. The present work evaluates the bioavailability of the two vitamins present in this compound and toxicity in the pig. To assess vitamin bioavailability, pigs were given small amounts of food containing MNB or equivalent amounts of MSB and nicotinamide in the free form. Menadione and nicotinamide concentrations in blood samples drawn at set times after the diets were given did not reveal any significant differences between the two modes of administration. Haematic levels of both vitamins in animals receiving MNB, or MSB and nicotinamide, were after 2, 4, 8 and 12 h higher (P < 0·001) than those of untreated animals. The tolerance level to MNB was evaluated in pigs given diets containing graded amounts of MNB (100, 500, 2500 mg/kg) for 28 days. No significant (P > 0·05) differences were recorded in live weight, food intake and gain/food ratio in pigs given these diets when compared with those given an unsupplemented diet. Haemoglobin and bilirubin levels did not differ between animals given various amounts of MNB and control animals. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities in pigs given 100 mg/kg of MNB did not show significant differences when compared with those observed in pigs given an unsupplemented control diet. In pigs on the diets supplemented with 500 and 2500 mg/kg of MNB there was a significant increase in the two enzymatic activities as compared with controls (P < 0·001 and P < 0·01). In the case of ALT this had disappeared by 28 weeks. MNB is a good source of vitamin K for the pig and does not appear to have any adverse effects, even when administered at levels higher than those normally used in pig food supplementation.


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