Dynamic simulation of SBR wastewater treatment plants

The aim of the project was to improve the design, planning and operation of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To achieve this aim, novel mathematical models have been developed targeting at a better description of settling properties of the sludge. Based on the established activated sludge models (ASM) of the IWA, the models include all necessary aspects to describe the process dynamics of SBR plants. A special approach, so called segregated models, where a set of repre­sentative flock and biomass individuals are considered, has been introduced. In addition, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been combined with biological process simulation. The developed models will be utilised in a simulation system for the development of novel SBR WWTP technologies aiming at engineered sludge properties.