On the Use of Mathematical Models for Wastewater Treatment: A Review and Analysis of Activated Sludge Models ASM1 and ASM3

Abstract

Mathematical models describing the dynamics of key biochemical processes in conventional activated sludge processes are commonly used to design and operate wastewater treatment plants. Since the introduction of the first activated sludge model, namely Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1), in 1987 by the International Water Association, ASM models received considerable attention and several extensions were suggested. In this study, we briefly review the literature on two important activated sludge models, ASM1 and ASM3. Our literature review indicates that despite the presence of many articles on ASM there is no study on the parameter sensitivity of these differential equation models. In the second part of the study, these two models are simulated in MATLAB with different initial values and parameter combinations to develop further insight into the model structures. In the third part of the study, experiments with ASM1 and ASM3 models are conducted in MATLAB and a basic sensitivity analysis is applied for the parameters of the two models.