A modification to the Activated Sludge Model No. 2 based on the competition between phosphorus-accumulating organisms and glycogen-accumulating organisms

A modification to the ASM2 is proposed which permits representation of the competition between phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) in a nutrient removal activated sludge system. Some important aspects, which are not considered in ASM2, are discussed. The proposed modification includes denitrification by PAOs, PAO glycogen storage capability and GAO metabolism model. It is shown that the proposed modification is capable of describing pilot plant data using a single set of stoichiometric and kinetic parameters over three different sludge ages (16, 14 and 12 days). The modified ASM2 may be applicable to a wide range of situations where PAOs and GAOs can compete. This modification may well provide abetter understanding about GAO behaviour.