Comparison of denitrification-nitrification and step-feed activated sludge processes with dynamic simulation

In conjunction with choosing the treatment process for the new wastewater treatment plant of Espoo, Finland (400,000 P.E.), Denitrification-Nitrification (DN) and Step-Feed activated sludge processes were compared in terms of required basin volume and consumption of aeration air and methanol. The comparison was made using dynamic process simulation. The advantages of the step-feed process reported in literature – smaller volume required to treat an equal load or ability to treat a higher load in an equal volume – were questioned. In terms of consumables, the two processes were found practically equal. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first comparison of these process configurations with dynamic simulation.