Activated Sludge Model No. 1 Research Articles

Simulation of a membrane bioreactor pilot treating old landfill leachates with activated sludge model No. 1 and No. 3

Activated sludge model No. 1 (ASM1) and activated sludge model No. 3 (ASM3) can simulate correctly the behaviour of a pilot membrane bioreactor treating old landfill leachates. Both models show similar results, which are consistent with measured data. In this work, a simplified calibration procedure is applied including hydrodynamic and oxygen transfer characterization. The wastewater characterisation was based on a physical–chemical method combined with a BOD analysis for the COD fractions and on standard analysis for nitrogen forms. Default parameters were used for both models; despite this, good simulations were obtained showing the flexibility and accuracy of the well-achieved ASM family models. The sensibility analysis performed allows identification of the most important kinetic, stoichiometric and operational parameters that should be measured to confirm or replace default values. In this specific case, the simulation is most sensitive to heterotrophic yield, particularly under anoxic conditions.

Stepwise Calibration of the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 at a Partially Denitrifying Large Wastewater Treatment Plant

Activated sludge modeling technology is maturing; however, currently, there exists a great need to increase its use in daily engineering practice worldwide. A good way for building the capacities of the practitioners is to promote good modeling practices and standardize the protocols. In this study, a systematic procedure was proposed to calibrate the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) at a large wastewater treatment plant, by which the model adequately predicted the quality of the effluent and the sludge quantities. A hydraulics model was set up and validated through a tracer test. The Vesilind settling constants were measured and combined with the default value of the flocculent zone settling parameter, to calibrate the clarifiers. A virtual anoxic tank was installed in the return activated sludge to mimic the denitrification occurring in the settlers. In ASM1, the calibrated parameters were only two influent chemical oxygen demand fractions and one kinetic constant (oxygen half-saturation coefficient).

An online method for estimation of degradable substrate and biomass in an aerated activated sludge process

The activated sludge process for degradation of organic matter is one of the main processes commonly used in biological wastewater treatment, and aeration in that process stands for a large part of the energy consumed in a plant. Hence, there have been many attempts to improve the operation of the activated sludge process using mathematical models of the process. The advanced models used has in general their origin in IWA (former IAWQ) activated sludge model no 1 (ASM1). Unfortunately, optimization w.r.t. discharge and economy is limited for municipal wastewater treatment plants because several of the most important variables; heterotrophic biomass, readily biodegradable soluble substrate, and slowly biodegradable substrate cannot be reliably measured online because of their complexity hiding behind their notation. With the predenitrifying WWTP in Göteborg having post nitrification in trickling filters as an example, we resolve this problem by deriving an observer that estimates these concentrations in the aerobic parts based on only the commonly available online measurements of oxygen, water flows, TSS concentration and supplied air. Based on control theory analysis and simulations it is concluded that estimation does not work for an activated sludge process with aeration in one stirred tank alone, but when the activated sludge process can be described by at least two tanks in series, with oxygen measurements in each tank, the estimates converge. A sensitivity analysis with respect to deviations in model parameters reveals that the derived estimator is also fairly robust to model errors.

Landfill leachate characterization for simulation of biological treatment with Activated Sludge Model No. 1 and Activated Sludge Model No. 3

Landfill leachates can be characterized correctly in terms of Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) and Activated Sludge Model No. 3 (ASM3) variables. The wastewater characterization of leachate from a Luxembourg landfill was based on a physical‐chemical method combined with a BOD analysis for the COD fractions and on standard analysis for forms of nitrogen. The results show important differences compared with municipal wastewater. High amounts of organic matter with low biodegradability were found, as well as a high concentration of ammonium nitrogen. Based on average values, a generic ASM characterization is proposed for landfill leachates. It can be directly employed in the early stages of the simulation of landfill leachate treatment with activated sludge models.

Development of mechanistically based model for simulating soluble microbial products generation in an aerated/non-aerated SBR

Soluble microbial products (SMPs) are considered as the main organic components in wastewater treatment plant effluent from biological wastewater treatment systems. To investigate and explore SMP metabolism pathway for further treatment and control, two innovative mechanistically based activated sludge models were developed by extension of activated sludge model no.3 (ASM3). One was the model by combining SMP formation and degradation (ASM3-SMP model) processes with ASM3, and the other by combining both SMP and simultaneous substrate storage and growth (SSSG) mechanisms with ASM3 (SSSG-ASM3-SMP model). The detailed schematic modification and process supplements were introduced for comprehensively understanding all the mechanisms involved in the activated sludge process. The evaluations of these two models were demonstrated by a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) operated under aerated/non-aerated conditions. The simulated and measured results indicated that SMP comprised about 83% of total soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) in which biomass-associated products (BAPs) were predominant compared with utilization-associated products (UAPs). It also elucidated that there should be a minimum SMP value as the reactive time increases continuously and this conclusion could be used to optimize effluent SCOD in activated sludge processes. The comparative results among ASM3, ASM3-SMP and SSSG-ASM3-SMP models and the experimental measurements (SCOD, ammonia and nitrate nitrogen) showed clearly the best agreement with SSSG-ASM3-SMP simulation values (R=0.993), strongly suggesting that both SMP formation and degradation and SSSG mechanisms are necessary in biologically activated sludge modeling for municipal wastewater treatment.

Systematic Approach to the Design of Operation and Control Policies in Activated Sludge Systems

This article describes the systematic design of a control structure for a biological wastewater treatment process as given by the test-bed Benchmark Simulation Model No. 1 (BSM1) and Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1). The objective of this work was to formalize and implement a systematic and yet simple procedure for the selection of control structures in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and to show that the application of the proposed methodology agrees with the “empirical”’ findings regarding the operation of this process. The motivation underlying this endeavor was to search for a control configuration that leads to optimal economic operation while promptly rejecting disturbances at lower layers in the control hierarchy, thus avoiding violation of the more important regulatory constraints on effluent discharge. We started by optimizing a steady-state nonlinear model of the process for various important disturbances. The results confirmed that it is economically optimal to control the oxygen concent...

Simulation and optimization of an experimental membrane wastewater treatment plant using computational intelligence methods

The optimization of relaxation and filtration times of submerged microfiltration flat modules in membrane bioreactors used for municipal wastewater treatment is essential for efficient plant operation. However, the optimization and control of such plants and their filtration processes is a challenging problem due to the underlying highly nonlinear and complex processes. This paper presents the use of genetic algorithms for this optimization problem in conjunction with a fully calibrated simulation model, as computational intelligence methods are perfectly suited to the nonconvex multi-objective nature of the optimization problems posed by these complex systems. The simulation model is developed and calibrated using membrane modules from the wastewater simulation software GPS-X based on the Activated Sludge Model No.1 (ASM1). Simulation results have been validated at a technical reference plant. They clearly show that filtration process costs for cleaning and energy can be reduced significantly by intelligent process optimization.

Modelling and dynamic simulation of hybrid moving bed biofilm reactors: Model concepts and application to a pilot plant

In the recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the development of hybrid reactors, especially in the up-grading of existing activated sludge plants that are no longer able to comply with concentration limits established by regulatory agencies. In such systems the biomass grows both as suspended flocs and as biofilm. In this way, it is possible to obtain a higher biomass concentration in the reactor, but without any significant increase of the load to the final clarifier. The paper presents the setting-up of a dynamic mathematical model aimed at quantitatively describing the biokinetic processes occurring in a hybrid moving bed biofilm reactor (HMBBR), and, more in general, in integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) processes, as well as to compare the simulation results with measured data from a HMBBR pilot plant built at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim (Norway). Particularly, the pilot plant consisted of three aerobic tanks in series; the first and third aerobic reactors were pure suspended biomass systems, while the second aerobic reactor was filled with the AnoxKaldnes™ K1 carriers for biofilm development. The mathematical model consists of two connected models for the simulation of both suspended biomass and biofilm. Biochemical conversions are evaluated according to the well known matrix notation used in the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) for both attached and suspended biomass and, in addition to biochemical conversion, the model contains the simulation of particulate detachment from the biofilm into the bulk liquid. The results showed an overall good agreement between measured and simulated data, for both biofilm and suspended biomass, with a good reproduction of dynamic processes in the hybrid moving bed pilot plant, and they are encouraging for further developments.

Cost reduction of the wastewater treatment plant operation by MPC based on modified ASM1 with two-step nitrification/denitrification model

The Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) considers that nitrification and denitrification are single step processes and nitrite nitrogen (NO 2–N), which is an intermediate for the two processes, is not accounted for. The first part of this paper presents the development of an enhanced ASM1 with two step nitrification/denitrification processes and its implementation in the Benchmark Simulation Model No.1 wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The secondary settler was considered to be reactive in order to achieve a better fit between the simulation model and the behavior of the real WWTP. The second part presents the investigation of Model Predictive Control approach for the advanced control of the WWTP. Two control strategies are implemented for the wastewater treatment plant and they are analyzed from the perspective of the benefits brought to the WWTP operation. The proposed control strategy shows a reduction of the operational costs and the improvement of the effluent quality index.

Modelling microbial population dynamics in nitritation processes

In the wastewater treatment industry nitrite is no longer viewed as a toxic and undesirable intermediate in the biological oxidation chain transforming ammonium into nitrate. On the contrary, it is receiving growing attention as the pivotal component in a variety of new processes for biological nutrient removal. These new practises aim at saving energy and resources through the nitritation shortcut as an alternative to full nitrification. In order to understand the biological and engineering implications of nitritation, models have to be adapted to these new process conditions and related changes in microbial community. For this reason a previous modification of the ASM3 model [Iacopozzi, I., Innocenti, V., Marsili-Libelli, S., Giusti, E. 2007. A modified Activated Sludge Model No. 3 (ASM3) with two-step nitrification-denitrification. Environmental Modelling & Software 22: 847–861] was adapted to these particular process conditions, that the conventional models fail to reproduce satisfactorily. As with many new nitrogen removal processes, the nitritating condition does not occur spontaneously on a major scale, but it must be induced and maintained through computer control. The data used to calibrate this modified model were obtained from a long-horizon experiment in which a pilot-scale Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) fed with landfill leachate was kept in nitritating conditions. In this paper we set out to investigate the following points: (a) demonstrate that our previous two-step nitrification model could be adapted to describe the nitritating condition; (b) provide a thorough sensitivity/identifiability assessment of this new model, since no general sensitivity study on two-step nitrification models is available as yet; (c) try to relate the observed changes in parameter values to the possible modifications in microbial inventory during the shift from nitrification to nitritation, even if the available data were very scarce. On the first count, the model was modified by fully separating the nitrite and nitrate denitrification routes (a partial decoupling was already attempted in the previous model) and using the mixed substrate assumption. In this way, correct anoxic respiration rates and substrate consumption were obtained even when the oxidation was limited to nitrite alone. The second aspect was investigated by carrying out a complete sensitivity study considering several output combinations and ranking the model parameters according to their identifiability, showing that the most sensitive parameters are those related to the microbial characteristics. For the third aspect, several calibration “windows” were selected, in which nitrite and nitrate measurements were available, and the identifiable parameters were calibrated with each data set. From the examination of the parametric variations in the calibration windows it can be concluded that the nitritating conditions represent a critical process condition forcing drastic changes in the microbial inventory, which may be partly reflected by parametric changes.

Modeling of the Contact–Adsorption–Regeneration (CAR) activated sludge process

Contact-Adsorption-Regeneration (CAR) process is a cost-effective system for wastewater treatment and has a potential for application in less-developed regions. To offer a better understanding of this process, a mathematical model was established on the basis of Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) and by incorporating the adsorption and different hydrolysis processes. The model predictions were compared with the measured data in terms of effluent concentrations and removals of both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH(4)(+)-N. A good agreement between the predicted and measured data was observed, indicating that the model was capable of predicting the rapid adsorption, COD removal and nitrification processes in the CAR system. This work provides an experimental and theoretical basis for the application of the CAR process in less-developed regions.

Biogas from grass silage – Measurements and modeling with ADM1

Mono fermentation of grass silage without the addition of manure was performed over a period of 345 days under mesophilic conditions (38 °C). A simulation study based on the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) was done in order to show its applicability to lignocellulosic biomass. Therefore, the influent was fractioned by established fodder analysis (Weender analysis and van Soest method). ADM1 was modified with a separate compound of inert decay products similar to the approach of Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1). Furthermore, a function, which described the influence of solids on the process of hydrolysis, has been integrated to reproduce reliable ammonium concentrations. The model was calibrated by using the modified Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient to evaluate simulation quality. It was possible to fit observed data by changing only hydrogen inhibition constants and the maximum acetate uptake rate. The extended ADM1 model showed good agreement with measurements and was suitable for modeling anaerobic digestion of grass silage.

Linearization of the full activated sludge model No 1 for interaction analysis

This paper deals with the linearization of the full activated sludge model No 1 (ASM1) in the scope of interaction analysis. For consistency, the linearization procedure is developed and validated within the BSM1 simulation benchmark framework. It is based on reaction rate approximation by linear combinations of states. The linear rate models are identified and incorporated in the mass balance equations, yielding a linear locally equivalent to the ASM1 model. Linear models for anoxic and aerated compartments are proposed. It is observed that the presented models track very closely the nonlinear ASM1 responses to various influent data. The key feature of this linearization strategy is that the gotten linear version of the ASM1 model is linear time invariant (LTI) and that it conserves the states biological interpretation and the original ASM1 dimension. It allows, therefore, application of interaction analysis methods and makes it possible to determine motivated control configurations for the ASM1 model.

Modelling waste stabilisation ponds with an extended version of ASM3

In this paper an extended version of IWA's Activated Sludge Model No 3 (ASM3) was developed to simulate processes in waste stabilisation ponds (WSP). The model modifications included the integration of algae biomass and gas transfer processes for oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia depending on wind velocity and a simple ionic equilibrium. The model was applied to a pilot-scale WSP system operated in the city of Florianópolis (Brazil). The system was used to treat leachate from a municipal waste landfill. Mean influent concentrations to the facultative pond of 1,456 g(COD)/m(3) and 505 g(NH4-N)/m(3) were measured. Experimental results indicated an ammonia nitrogen removal of 89.5% with negligible rates of nitrification but intensive ammonia stripping to the atmosphere. Measured data was used in the simulations to consider the impact of wind velocity on oxygen input of 11.1 to 14.4 g(O2)/(m(2) d) and sun radiation on photosynthesis. Good results for pH and ammonia removal were achieved with mean stripping rates of 18.2 and 4.5 g(N)/(m(2) d) for the facultative and maturation pond respectively. Based on measured chlorophyll a concentrations and depending on light intensity and TSS concentration it was possible to model algae concentrations.

Simultaneous removal of sulfide, nitrate and acetate: Kinetic modeling

Biological removal of sulfide, nitrate and chemical oxygen demand (COD) simultaneously from industrial wastewaters to elementary sulfur (S(0)), N(2), and CO(2), or named the denitrifying sulfide (DSR) process, is a cost effective and environmentally friendly treatment process for high strength sulfide and nitrate laden organic wastewater. Kinetic model for the DSR process was established for the first time on the basis of Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1). The DSR experiments were conducted at influent sulfide concentrations of 200-800 mg/L, whose results calibrate the model parameters. The model correlates well with the DSR process dynamics. By introducing the switch function and the inhibition function, the competition between autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifiers is quantitatively described and the degree of inhibition of sulfide on heterotrophic denitrifiers is realized. The model output indicates that the DSR reactor can work well at 0.5<C/S<3.0 with influent sulfide concentration of 400-1000 mg/L. At >1000 mg/L influent sulfide, however, the DSR system will break down.

Model reduction of the ASM3 extended for two-step nitrification

The Activated Sludge Model No. 3 (ASM3) extended for two-step nitrification is analyzed and reduced to enable fast and accurate simulations under typical process conditions. Due to the addition of energy storage effects, ASM3 enables the description of substrate consumption as well as Oxygen uptake with a higher precision than the older versions of the family of ASM. In addition the extension of the model to describe the two step nitrification enables the calculation of the NO2 concentration as an independent variable. An exhaustive analysis of the model results in a number of modifications which reduce the model effectively, while keeping its accuracy.

Mathematical modeling of aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) using activated sludge model no. 1 (ASM1)

Abstract Activated sludge model no. 1 (ASM1) was applied to an aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating dilute municipal wastewater. The model for the aerobic MBR was calibrated using the data collected from a lab-scale aerobic MBR using AQUASIM 2.0. The performance of MBR process in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and ammonia nitrogen (SNH) nitrification was studied at different operating conditions such as hydraulic retention time (HRT), solid retention time (SRT) and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentrations. The characteristics of influent wastewater, pre-settled primary effluent from a wastewater treatment plant (City of Elmhurst WWTP, Elmhurst, IL, USA), were determined in the laboratory and used for the calibration of the model. The results from the simulations provided a better understanding of the mechanisms and kinetics of the MBR process including sludge removal.

Development of a mechanistic model for biological nutrient removal activated sludge systems and application to a full‐scale WWTP

AbstractIn wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) the production of nitrite as an intermediate in the biological nutrient removal (BNR) process has been widely observed, but not been taken into account by most of the conventional activated sludge models yet. This work aims to develop a mechanistic mathematical model to evaluate the BNR process after resolving such a problem. A mathematical model is developed based on the Activated Sludge Model No.3 (ASM3) and the EAWAG Bio‐P model with an incorporation of the two‐step nitrification–denitrification, the anoxic P uptake, and the associated two‐step denitrification by phosphorus accumulating organisms. The database used for simulations originates from a full‐scale BNR municipal wastewater treatment plant. The influent wastewater composition is characterized using batch tests. Model predictions are compared with the measured concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH‐N, NO‐N, NO‐N, PO‐P, and mixed liquid volatile suspended solids. Simulation results indicate that the calibrated model is capable of predicting the microbial growth, COD removal, nitrification and denitrification, as well as aerobic and anoxic P removal. Thus, this model can be used to evaluate and simulate full‐scale BNR activated sludge WWTPs. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009

A thermodynamic analysis of the activated sludge process: Application to soybean wastewater treatment in a sequencing batch reactor

AbstractA bioenergetic methodology was integrated with a modified activated sludge model No.1 (ASM1) to analyze the activated sludge process, with the treatment of soybean‐processing wastewater as an example. With the bioenergetic methodology established by McCarty and coworkers, the microbial yield was predicted and the overall stoichiometrics for biological reactions involving the key chemical and biological species in activated sludge were established. These obtained parameters were related to the ASM1 model, which was modified after coupling the biological reactions in activated sludge with electron balances. This approach was able to approximately describe the treatment of soybean wastewater by activated sludge in a sequencing batch reactor in terms of substrate utilization, biomass growth, and the elector acceptor consumption. Such an attempt provides useful information for accurate modeling of the complex activated sludge process. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009

Modeling a bench-scale alternating aerobic/anoxic activated sludge system for nitrogen removal using a modified ASM1

The Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1), developed by The International Association of Water Pollution Research and Control, was applied to model dynamics of NH4 +, and NO3 − in a bench scale alternating aerobic-anoxic (AAA) activated sludge system for nitrogen removal. The model was modified by eliminating inert soluble COD (SI) and inert particulate COD (XI) from the model's state variables as these two variables are not involved in any biological reaction and are not readily measurable with conventional routine COD analysis. It was assumed that the soluble COD and particulate COD of wastewater represent readily biodegradable COD (SS) and slowly biodegradable (XS) in the model, respectively. In addition, alkalinity was also removed from the model, since alkalinity of an AAA system remains stable due to the cyclic modes of the system. Even with the elimination of the three state variables and the assumption made, the model could reasonably predict the NH4 + and NO3 − dynamics of the AAA system, and effluent NH4 + and NO3 − concentrations with adjustment of only a few kinetic parameters. Compared to the original ASM1, it is expected that the modified ASM1 presented in this study can be more easily utilized by engineers in designing or operating an AAA system in practice, since it requires simple characterization of wastewater COD.