Setting-up a control simulation strategy for a sequencing batch reactor (SBR): application to municipal wastewater

The use of a simulation model for setting up a control strategy for a sequencing batch reactor necessary for treating municipal wastewater is described. The model used is the ASM no 1 model. The objective of the pollution control treatment is the removal of carbon and nitrogen; the optimisation is concerned with the improvement in the biological removal of nitrogen. After experimental identification of the initialisation variables, the model enables different SBR control scenarios to be tested (time variation for each process) leading to the total elimination of nitrogen. The best simulation was tested in a laboratory reactor. On that scale, it was noted that denitrification is an endogenous process. Lastly, the control strategy was tested on a semi-industrial pilot working in a pollution control plant. Other control scenarios can be devised and tested by simulation, in order to improve the productivity of the reactor.