PARAMETRIC SENSITIVITY AND EVALUATION OF A DYNAMIC MODEL FOR SINGLE-STAGE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

Igor Plazl, Goran Pipuš, Maja Drolka* and Tine Koloini

Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Aškerèeva 5, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia *JP VO-KA Ltd., Krekov trg 10, Ljubljana Slovenia

Abstract

Simulation models of the activated sludge process are believed to be a useful tool for research, process optimisation and troubleshooting at full-scale treatment plants, teaching and design assistance. However, the application of the models in most treatment plants is limited due to a lack of advanced input parameter values required by the models. Although the numbers of typical conversion factors and stoichiometric constants are presented in the literature, the range of some parameters is too wide considering the parametric sensitivity of the dynamic model. On the other hand, it is well known that the values of some parameters depend on the nature of a specific wastewater treatment plant. The present paper is concerned with a dynamic model of the activated sludge process taking place in the single stage wastewater treatment plant with parametric sensitivity and evaluation. Model calibration was successfully experimentally confirmed for the steady-state operational conditions.