Design of a sequencing batch reactor sequence with an input load partition in a simulation-based experimental...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment Technologies
• Process Optimization

Background:

• Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) are widely used for wastewater treatment.
• Optimizing SBR operational sequences is crucial for efficient nitrogen removal and reduced operational costs.
• Traditional experimental optimization on pilot plants can be resource-intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the operational sequence of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR).
• To achieve desired effluent nitrogen concentrations while minimizing or eliminating the need for external carbon addition.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a process model in conjunction with pilot plant experiments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Activated Sludge Model No.1 (ASM1) with minor modifications for process modeling.
• Employed a laboratory pilot plant for experimental verification.
• Investigated a split-feed operating mode with optimized aerobic-anoxic phases, batch durations, and feeding times.

Main Results:

• The optimized SBR sequence, determined by the model, led to improved process performance when verified on the pilot plant.
• A reduction or elimination of external carbon addition was achieved.
• Observed some phenomena during pilot plant verification that were not predicted by the model, highlighting model limitations.

Conclusions:

• Process models, despite being simplifications, are valuable tools for optimizing SBR operations.
• The study successfully demonstrated the application of modeling and pilot-scale experiments for enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency.
• Further refinement of models may be needed to capture all real-world process complexities.