Heterotrophic Kinetic Parameter Estimation for Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Processes Operated in Conventional and Membrane-Assisted Modes

Abstract

Abstract Parameter estimation and wastewater characterization are crucial for modelling of the membrane enhanced biological phosphorus removal (MEBPR) process. Prior to determining the values of a subset of kinetic and stoichiometric parameters used in ASM No. 2 (ASM2), the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus fractions of influent wastewater at the University of British Columbia (UBC) pilot plant were characterized. It was found that the UBC wastewater contained fractions of volatile acids (SA), readily fermentable biodegradable COD (SF) and slowly biodegradable COD (XS) that fell within the ASM2 default value ranges. The contents of soluble inert COD (SI) and particulate inert COD (XI) were somewhat higher than ASM2 default values. Mixed liquor samples from pilot-scale MEBPR and conventional enhanced biological phosphorus removal (CEBPR) processes operated under parallel conditions, were then analyzed experimentally to assess the impact of operation in a membrane-assisted mode on the growth yield (YH), decay coefficient (bH) and maximum specific growth rate of heterotrophic biomass (µH). The resulting values for YH, bH and µH were slightly lower for the MEBPR train than for the CEBPR train, but the differences were not statistically significant. It is suggested that MEBPR simulation using ASM2 could be accomplished satisfactorily using parameter values determined for a conventional biological phosphorus removal process, if MEBPR parameter values are not available.