Dynamic modeling and control strategies for the activated sludge process

Abstract

techniques for improving the per formance of activated sludge plants has been to increase the size of the facility. Because a great strain is currently being placed on the economic and energy re sources of the nation to solve the pollution problem, alternatives to increases in size should be investigated. The application of process control techniques is one such alternative. The chemical and other processing in dustries recognized long ago that produc tivity could be increased and product quality improved by the application of process control strategies. Strategies may also be developed for application to waste water treatment processes. One of the more efficient techniques for developing control strategies is through the use of dynamic models and computer simulation. Numerous models for the activated sludge process have been developed; how ever, several features common to most bio logical processes have not been taken into account. Some of the deficiencies of exis ting models are as follows: 1. Most models normally use only one complete-mix reactor, whereas the hy draulic regime for most activated sludge plants lies between complete mix and plug flow.