Improved design and control of industrial and municipal nutrient removal plants using dynamic models

Dynamic simulation can be used to improve the design and performance of the activated sludge process. This is illustrated by means of two case studies: 1. The simulation of a full scale industrial plant treating nitrogen-rich wastewater by an intensive nitrification-denitrification process. By means of simulation the most important operational cost (dosage of an external carbon source) was optimised and a control strategy was proposed. 2. The simulation of a municipal wastewater treatment plant with the extension of nitrogen removal. Based on simulation the feasibility of the redesign was evaluated. In both cases the wastewater composition was characterised and the biological model (the activated sludge IAWQ-model No. 1) calibrated. By means of respirometry and standard laboratory analyses it was possible to estimate the COD fractions of the wastewater and the parameters for heterotrophic and autotrophic growth of biomass. (C) 1997 IAWQ. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.