This paper examines the effect of different model assumptions when describing biological nutrient removal (BNR) by the activated sludge models (ASM) 1, 2d & 3. The performance of a nitrogen removal (WWTP1) and a combined nitrogen and phosphorus removal (WWTP2) benchmark wastewater treatment plant was compared for a series of model assumptions. Three different model approaches describing BNR are considered. In the reference case, the original model implementations are used to simulate WWTP1 (ASM1 & 3) and WWTP2 (ASM2d). The second set of models includes a reactive settler, which extends the description of the non-reactive TSS sedimentation and transport in the reference case with the full set of ASM processes. Finally, the third set of models is based on including electron acceptor dependency of biomass decay rates for ASM1 (WWTP1) and ASM2d (WWTP2). The results show that incorporation of a reactive settler: (1) increases the hydrolysis of particulates; (2) increases the overall plant's denitrification efficiency by reducing the SNOx concentration at the bottom of the clarifier; (3) increases the oxidation of COD compounds; (4) increases XOHO and XANO decay; and, finally, (5) increases the growth of XPAO and formation of XPHA,Stor for ASM2d, which has a major impact on the whole P removal system. Introduction of electron acceptor dependent decay leads to a substantial increase of the concentration of XANO, XOHO and XPAO in the bottom of the clarifier. The paper ends with a critical discussion of the influence of the different model assumptions, and emphasizes the need for a model user to understand the significant differences in simulation results that are obtained when applying different combinations of ‘standard’ models.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
April 01 2012
Benchmarking biological nutrient removal in wastewater treatment plants: influence of mathematical model assumptions Available to Purchase
Xavier Flores-Alsina;
1Division of Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation (IEA), Department of Measurement Technology and Industrial Electrical Engineering (MIE), Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Krist V. Gernaey;
Krist V. Gernaey
2Center for Process Engineering and Technology (PROCESS), Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Building 229, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Search for other works by this author on:
Ulf Jeppsson
Ulf Jeppsson
1Division of Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation (IEA), Department of Measurement Technology and Industrial Electrical Engineering (MIE), Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Sci Technol (2012) 65 (8): 1496–1505.
Article history
Received:
September 15 2011
Accepted:
November 12 2011
Citation
Xavier Flores-Alsina, Krist V. Gernaey, Ulf Jeppsson; Benchmarking biological nutrient removal in wastewater treatment plants: influence of mathematical model assumptions. Water Sci Technol 1 April 2012; 65 (8): 1496–1505. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.039
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
eBook
Pay-Per-View Access
$38.00