Simulation for optimal design of activated sludge systems
1994
Vanderhaegen, B. | Meenen, P. van (EPAS NV, Technology Park 3, B-9052 Gent-Zwijnaarde (Belgium)) | Bogaert, H. | Verstraete, W.
During the last decades attempts have been made to use mathematical models as a tool for the operation and control of activated sludge plants. The costs in waste water treatment are sludge treatment (17-36 per cent, av. 25 per cent), investment (10-29 per cent, av. 23 per cent), maintenance (3-20 per cent, av. 14 per cent), manpower (8 15 per cent, av. 13 per cent), energy (8-14 per cent, av. 10 per cent), chemicals (4-13 per cent, av. 7 per cent), levies (3-12 per cent, av. 5 per cent) and others (1-6 per cent, av. 3 per cent). Simulation of activated sludge treatment plants in general must focus on the most important cost factors amenable to optimization, namely energy consumption and sludge management. The effluent quality is in Flanders at present in this context of secundary importance. In terms of an optimal control of expenses, it is suggested that operating a plant at low sludge loading rates (extended aeration) provides a significant benefit due to decrease of sludge treatment costs. The extra costs for energy supply are overruled by the savings on sludge treatment. However, effluent standards are evolving towards ambient quality criteria. In this context, an example is given how mathematical models will become of significance to constantly control and predict the performances of the activated sludge plant relative to the legal standards.
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