Optimization of Aeration Power in a SBR

Abstract

Abstract Consumption of energy through aerators in a SBR (Sequential Batch Reactor) was optimized operating with an average volumetric flow of 700 m 3 .d - 1 and an average composition of 500 mgCOD.L - 1 (COD: Chemical Oxygen Demand). The reactor has the following time sequence within a cycle: m successive aerated stages, followed by sedimentation and drainage. A set of m aerobic stages is established to allow the variation in the aeration power consumption. The desired number of cycles per day may be chosen in advance. The optimization problem is proposed to obtain the optimal step wise aeration power policy in the cycle. The optimization problem is NLP and the constraints take into account the required effluent quality and the corresponding mass balances in the reactor. The problem was solved using an interior point algorithm. The purpose of the study of optimal m value is to support further process improvement. For instance, it allows deciding if increasing the number of aerobic stages for the same total aeration time is or is not indispensable from a practical point of view.