Estimating (combinations of) Activated Sludge Model No. 1 parameters and components by respirometry

The paper presents a concise overview of respirometric experiments for the calibration of ASM1. First, the popularity of respirometry is explained by its historical impact and its sensitivity and robustness. The body of the text consists of a systematic overview of existing methods for assessment of nearly all ASM1: (i) component concentrations in sludge and waste water; and (ii) biokinetic and stoichiometric parameters. Real-life examples illustrate the methods. A difference is made between direct methods that use explicit calculations and optimisation methods that require numerical optimisation algorithms. It is stressed that the latter approach is especially useful to extract multiple parameters and component concentrations from single respirometric experiments. Finally, the importance of reflecting on the translation of lab-scale respirometric results to a full-scale model is stressed. (C) 1999 IAWQ Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.