Benchmark Simulation Model No 2: finalisation of plant layout and default control strategy.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Water Treatment Technologies
• Process Control

Background:

• The Benchmark Simulation Model No 1 (BSM1) has served as a key platform for activated sludge process control strategy benchmarking for nearly a decade.
• Over 300 publications worldwide highlight the significant interest and need for such simulation tools in the research community.
• Existing models primarily focus on individual process control, lacking a holistic plant-wide perspective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an extended benchmark simulation model (BSM2) that facilitates control strategy development and performance evaluation at a plant-wide level.
• To incorporate pretreatment and sludge treatment processes into the simulation framework.
• To enable the assessment of long-term control strategies through an extended evaluation period.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Benchmark Simulation Model No 2 (BSM2), an extension of the original BSM1.
• Inclusion of wastewater pretreatment and sludge treatment processes.
• Extension of the simulation evaluation period to one year to allow for long-term strategy assessment.
• Proposal of a default control strategy for BSM2.

Main Results:

• The finalized plant layout for BSM2 is summarized.
• A default control strategy is proposed, mirroring the approach in BSM1.
• Demonstration of BSM2's utility in evaluating control strategies is provided.

Conclusions:

• BSM2 provides a comprehensive platform for evaluating wastewater treatment control strategies on a plant-wide basis.
• The extended evaluation period in BSM2 allows for realistic assessment of long-term control approaches.
• BSM2 addresses the growing need for integrated operational control of wastewater treatment systems.