Evaluation of Alternative Unstructured Kinetic Models for Simulating the Dynamics of the Activated Sludge Process

Abstract

Four unstructured kinetic models were used for simulating the transient response of the conventional activated sludge to shock loadings. The aeration tank was assumed to be a continuous stirred tank reactor while the settler dynamics were simulated as a simple first order lag. Parameter identification was exercised in predicting the models substrate and biomass concentrations as compared to published experimental results. The inhibitory endogenous metabolism model gave relatively good qualitative results. The inadequacy of these simple models in predicting some important aspects of the unsteady state operation is discussed.