Validation of a multi-phase plant-wide model for the description of the aeration process in a WWTP

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 129; pp. 305 - 318
• Main Authors: Lizarralde, I., Fernández-Arévalo, T., Beltrán, S., Ayesa, E., Grau, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Liquid-gas transfer modelling; Mathematical modelling; Plant-wide modelling; Water chemistry; Water chemistry; Mathematical modelling; Liquid-gas transfer modelling; Plant-wide modelling
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.10.061

This paper introduces a new mathematical model built under the PC-PWM methodology to describe the aeration process in a full-scale WWTP. This methodology enables a systematic and rigorous incorporation of chemical and physico-chemical transformations into biochemical process models, particularly for the description of liquid-gas transfer to describe the aeration process. The mathematical model constructed is able to reproduce biological COD and nitrogen removal, liquid-gas transfer and chemical reactions. The capability of the model to describe the liquid-gas mass transfer has been tested by comparing simulated and experimental results in a full-scale WWTP. Finally, an exploration by simulation has been undertaken to show the potential of the mathematical model. [Display omitted] •Validation of multi-phase plant wide model for liquid-gas transfer description.•Aeration system efficiency estimation.•Calibration and validation of the aeration process.