Related Experiment Videos
Software sensor for on-line estimation of the microbial activity in activated sludge systems
Oscar A Z Sotomayor1, Song Won Park, Claudio Garcia
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, Cidade Universitária, SP, Brazil. oscar@lscp.pqi.ep.usp.br
ISA Transactions
|June 20, 2002
Summary
This study introduces a software sensor to estimate biological activities in activated sludge, focusing on oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and oxygen transfer function (K(l)a). The method enhances supervision and control of wastewater treatment processes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Process Control
Background:
- Activated sludge processes rely on aerobic microorganisms for waste degradation and nitrification.
- Dissolved oxygen concentration is critical for monitoring these biological activities.
- Estimating oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and oxygen transfer function (K(l)a) is challenging due to nonlinearities and time-varying parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a software sensor for real-time estimation of biological activities in activated sludge.
- To accurately determine the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and oxygen transfer function (K(l)a).
- To improve the supervision and control of activated sludge processes.
Main Methods:
- Development of a software sensor based on a modified discrete extended Kalman filter.
- Application of the software sensor to estimate OUR and K(l)a.
- Numerical simulations using a predenitrifying activated sludge process benchmark.
Main Results:
- The proposed software sensor effectively estimates OUR and K(l)a.
- The methodology demonstrated applicability and efficiency in simulations.
- Accurate estimation of biological activities was achieved.
Conclusions:
- The developed software sensor provides a valuable tool for monitoring activated sludge processes.
- The modified discrete extended Kalman filter is suitable for estimating challenging parameters like OUR and K(l)a.
- This approach can enhance the operational efficiency and control of wastewater treatment systems.