Bio2Py: An API for integrating Python with BioWin for enhanced data acquisition in wastewater treatment simulations

Abstract

Commercial simulators for modeling wastewater treatment processes (WWTPs), such as BioWin, play a crucial role for optimizing the design, operation, and control of treatment facilities. These simulators offer fast and user-friendly interfaces and can be employed to enhance the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants. However, a notable limitation of BioWin and similar platforms is the lack of direct integration with Python®, a programming language renowned for its versatility and extensive data analysis and machine learning libraries. Bridging this gap constitutes an opportunity to significantly improve the simulation process by leveraging Python's capabilities. The Python package Bio2Py (BioWin to Python) is presented as a compelling solution, reconciling BioWin's specialized functionality and Python's automation and data processing strengths. By utilizing Python's PyAutoGUI package, Bio2Py automates various aspects of the simulation process, such as loading influent data, running simulations, and saving simulation results without manual intervention. The integration of BioWin with Python not only speeds up the workflow by automating repetitive tasks but also opens new possibilities, such as parameter calibration for specific wastewaters and using BioWin as a data generator for machine learning applications. This brief communication presents the Bio2Py API, illustrating its use and applicability through a simple implementation example. Bio2Py's ability to automate and optimize various aspects of wastewater treatment process simulation, including data acquisition, and its potential use for process variable optimization and parameter tuning, positions it as a valuable tool for engineers and researchers who work in this field.