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Improving nutrient removal while reducing energy use at three Swiss WWTPs using advanced control.

Leiv Rieger1, Imre Takács, Hansruedi Siegrist

  • 1Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Environmental Engineering, Ueberlandstr. 133, PO Box 611, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland. rieger@envirosim.com

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Advanced process control in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) significantly cuts energy use and carbon footprint. Implementing smart aeration control boosts nitrogen removal by 40% and saves 16-20% energy.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water Treatment Technologies
  • Process Control

Background:

  • Aeration in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) accounts for approximately 60% of total energy consumption, significantly impacting their carbon footprint.
  • Advanced process control offers a cost-effective strategy to reduce energy usage and enhance effluent quality by optimizing operational parameters.
  • Conventional activated sludge plants often face challenges in meeting stringent effluent standards and managing energy demands.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effectiveness of advanced process control, specifically aeration control algorithms, in reducing energy consumption and improving nitrogen removal in WWTPs.
  • To demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of implementing dynamic simulation for designing and optimizing monitoring and control systems.
  • To assess the potential for increasing denitrification capacity through intelligent control strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Extensive data collection from three conventional activated sludge plants with fixed pre-denitrification and nitrification zones.
  • Development and application of dynamic simulation models to analyze plant behavior and design control systems.
  • Full-scale implementation and validation of advanced aeration control algorithms.

Main Results:

  • Achieved full-scale energy savings ranging from 16% to 20% in the studied WWTPs.
  • Observed a substantial increase in total nitrogen removal, averaging 40%.
  • Demonstrated that advanced control is a viable alternative to physical plant extensions for improving performance.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced aeration control in WWTPs is a highly effective strategy for reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
  • Implementing tailored monitoring and control systems, supported by dynamic simulation, leads to significant operational improvements and cost savings.
  • Optimized process control enhances both energy efficiency and effluent quality, contributing to sustainable wastewater management.