Zero‐dimensional modelling and bacterial characterization of an aerobic granular sludge reactor

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAerobic granular sludge (AGS) has emerged as a novel wastewater treatment technology and as a suppressing alternative to conventional activated sludge. The development of mathematical models of the AGS process, which can be used for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) design and optimization, is therefore necessary to support successful implementation of AGS technology. This study aims to develop a zero‐dimensional (0D) AGS model that can be used in engineering practice for the above‐mentioned purposes.ResultsA laboratory AGS sequencing batch reactor (SBR), removing soluble organic substrate, nitrogen and phosphorus, was fed with artificial wastewater and modelled using a 0D approach. Model development was supported by bacterial characterization using 16S rRNA gene amplicon high‐throughput sequencing. The mathematical model was based on the activated sludge model no. 2d (ASM2d) and extended with both two‐step nitrification as implemented in the wastewater treatment plant simulator Sumo19 (Dynamita SARL) and ammonia nitrogen adsorption and desorption according to the Langmuir model. The variations of ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, orthophosphate phosphorus and dissolved oxygen concentrations during one cycle of the SBR were successfully reproduced by the model (all Pearson's r values ≥0.93 and all r2 ≥ 0.86).ConclusionsThe 0D modelling approach was proven to be applicable to AGS. It is possible that the 0D approach can fill the gap that has developed between engineering and research in the biofilm modelling community. The 0D modelling approach therefore merits further exploration using reactors fed with real wastewater, as well as on pilot and full‐scale WWTPs. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).