War. Res. Vol. 29, No. 1, pp.

137-145, 1995

Pergamon

0043-1354(94)E0115-M

Copyright 1994 Elsevier Science Ltd

Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved
0043-1354/95 $7.00 + 0.00

A STEADY-STATE MODEL FOR THE SINGLE SLUDGE

ACTIVATED SLUDGE SYSTEM--I. MODEL DESCRIPTION
YERACHMIEL ARGAMAN @
Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology,
Haifa 32000, Israel

(First received July 1993; accepted in revised form April 1994)

A b s t r a e t - - A steady-state model for activated sludge with or without nitrogen control is proposed. It
pertains to real activated sludge systems in that both soluble and particulate influent organics are
addressed and various fractions of the mixed liquor solids are distinguished. The pseudo first-order kinetic
law is used for soluble BOD removal and first-order kinetic for the hydrolysis of particulate organics.
Biodegradation of hydrolyzed particulates is treated in a simlar way to the soluble organics by using an
"effective soluble B O D " term which combines both BOD sources. M o n o d rate law is used for nitrification
while denitrification is controlled by BOD removal under anoxic conditions. The model equations are
solved by an iterative procedure developed for this problem.

Key words--activated sludge, steady-state model, nitrification, denitrification

NOMENCLATURE

K A = nitrification half saturation coefficient for a m m o nia nitrogen, m g IK o = nitrification half saturation coefficient for dissolved oxygen, mg 1Kp = particulate BOD hydrolysis rate coefficient, 1
(rag. day)- t
g s , a e r = half saturation coefficient for BOD removal in
the aerobic zone, m g l K~.~,= half saturation coefficient for BOD removal in
the anoxic zone, m g lKp(20) = particulate BOD decay rate coefficient at 20'~C, 1
(nag. day) i
MLSS = Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
MLVSS = Mixed Liquor Volatile Suspended Solids
No = i n f l u e n t nitrate nitrogen concentration, m g l
N~ = n i t r a t e nitrogen concentration entering the
anoxic zone, mg 1-L
N 2 = nitrate nitrogen concentration in the anoxic zone,
m g l -t
N e = nitrate nitrogen concentration in the emuent,
m g l -~
02 = oxygen requirement, mgO2/liter of flow
r = overall recycle ratio
So = influent soluble BOD, mg 1$6 = effective influent BOD, m g 1S'L = effective B O D entering the anoxic zone, mg IS~ = effective BOD leaving the anoxic zone, mg 1-L
S~ = effluent soluble BOD, mg 1- '
SeT = effluent total BOD, m g 1- '
SRT = Solids Retention Time
SS = Suspended Solids
t = system nominal H R T , day
t~er = nominal H R T in aerobic zone, day
t~. = nominal H R T in anoxic zone, day
t~n = single pass H R T in anoxic zone, day
T = aeration basin temperature, C
TSS = Total Suspended Solids
VSS = Volatile Suspended Solids
Xe = effluent total suspended solids, m g l
X~ = influent total suspended solids, m g l
XN = nitrogen content of biological solids, gN
(gVSS)-'

a = yield coefficient, gVSS ( g B O D ) a ' = oxygen utilization coefficient, gO 2 (gBOD)-l

a~, = dissimilatory nitrate utilization coefficient,
gN/(gBOD)- 1
A 0 = concentration of a m m o n i a nitrogen in the influent, m g l L
A e = concentration of a m m o n i a nitrogen in the effluent and the nitrification zone, m g lb = endogenous decay rate coefficient of heterotrophic biomass, d a y b(20) = e n d o g e n o u s decay rate coefficient for heterotrophic biomass at 20C, day -~
b' = endogenous oxygen consumption rate coefficient,
gO2 (gVSS day)-I
b N = endogenous decay rate coefficient of nitrifiers,
day- i
b N(20) = endogenous decay rate coefficient for nitrifiers at
20C, day -I
b~n = e n d o g e n o u s nitrate utilization rate coefficient,
g N O 3-N (gVSS. day)-i
b'~,(20) = endogenous nitrate utilization rate coefficient, at
20C, g N O 3 - N (gVSS. day) -I
B O D = 5 day, 20C Biochemical Oxygen D e m a n d
DO = dissolved oxygen concentration in the aerobic
zone, rng l- 1
fb = biological fraction of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids
f0 = degradable fraction of influent volatile suspended solids
fr = remaining (not hydrolyzed) fraction of infiuent
degradable volatile suspended solids
f~ = volatile fraction of influent suspended solids
H R T = Hydraulic Retention Time
K~er = pseudo first order B O D removal rate coefficient
in the aerobic zone, d a y K(20) = pseudo first order BOD removal rate coefficient
under aerobic conditions with no oxygen limitation at 20C, d a y Ka, = pseudo first order BOD removal rate coefficient
in the anoxic zone, d a y 137

138

YERACHM1EL ARGAMAN

Xv= mixed liquor volatile suspended solids, mgl '

AA,, = ammonia nitrogen nitrified, mgN (liter of flow)
ANdeni t = nitrate nitrogen denitrified, mgN (liter of flow) '
AXT= total suspended solids leaving the system, mgTSS
(liter of flow)- '
AX~= VSS leaving the system, mgVSS (liter of flow)-'
q = aerobic volume fraction
/lN= actual growth rate of nitrifiers, day~!m~,x= maximum growth rate of nitrifiers at 20C, day-'
~b= ratio between BOD removal rate coefficients in
anoxic and aerobic zones at 20C and no substrate limitations
0 = temperature correction coefficient for BOD removal
0b= temperature correction coefficient for endogenous decay and nitrate utilization rates
0p = temperature correction coefficient for Kp
0c = system SRT, day
Oc,a = aerobic SRT, day
zd=degradable ("active") fraction of biological
MLVSS

INTRODUCTION

The activated sludge process has been the subject

of numerous studies and modeling efforts. Some of
the existing models are strictly empirical or over
simplified, thus restricting their usefulness in a system
design. On the other extreme, some models exist
which are highly theoretical and thus have not been
widely used by practicing engineers. The work presented herein accommodates most of the current
process knowledge in a mechanistic model that can be
used as a design tool by practicing engineers.
Unlike some of the recent models such as the
IAWPRC Task Group model (1987), the model
proposed herein is a steady-state one. Hence, in
principle, it is restricted to constant flow and load
conditions. In practice, it can be used for quasi
steady-state conditions and provide the basic design
information. The complete dynamic model can then
be used for optimizing the operation and control of
the system.
The present model uses BOD as the carbonaceous
organics parameter, whereas most of the recent
models are based on COD. The latter parameter is
considerably more convenient to use both in terms
of laboratory analysis and in stoichiometric and
materials balance expressions. However, in many
countries, BOD is still the main parameter used by
regulatory authorities and predicting its concentration is of great importance in systems design. BOD
also reflects the concentration of biodegradable organics which are the subject of interest in biological
treatment models. Also, the present model uses some
kinetic and materials balance approaches that differ
from the former ones.
Many of the existing steady-state models are limited to the soluble fraction of the wastewater organics
even though the particulate fraction often exceeds the
soluble. In the proposed model both fractions are
addressed. It is assumed that the particulate organics
are solubilized before being degraded. Hence, an

"effective BOD", which is defined as the summation

of the soluble and the actually solubilized particulate
BOD, is proposed in this model.
The proposed model is most applicable in the
preliminary phases of a system design, when various
process alternatives are evaluated. This is because for
comparative purposes, steady-state analyses are often
adequate and the absolute accuracy of all process
parameters is less critical. Use of the detailed dynamic
models requires accurate calibration for the specific
plant, a task which is often difficult to achieve.
Compared to the dynamic models, the present one
contains a smaller number of parameters and coefficients. Although this results in a somewhat lesser
detailed analysis, it is believed that for certain design
purposes it represents the right balance between
model sophistication and ease of use. In the model
presented here, many of the stoichiometric and kinetic coefficients are fairly well known for domestic
wastewater. Experimental evaluation of some of these
coefficients is described in associated publications
(Eliosov, 1994; Argaman and Papkov, 1995).
Use of the model for design purposes is achieved
by simultaneous solution of a set of equations. Any
commercially available software may be used for this
purpose. However, this paper presents a solution
procedure which was specifically developed for
this problem and can be easily used by practicing
engineers.
CARBONACEOUS ORGANIC REMOVAL

The first part of this work deals with carbonaceous

BOD removal. However the system under consideration is one that can be used for nitrogen control as
well, as seen in Fig. 1.
Definitions and nomenclature o f influent and M L S S
components
For modeling and design purposes the influent to
a biological wastewater treatment plant is characterized by the following parameters (see Fig. 2):

Soluble BOD, So
Total suspended solids (TSS), X~
Volatile fraction of influent SS, fv
Biodegradable fraction of influent VSS, fd
Ammonia (and oxidizable organic) nitrogen, A0

All BODs mentioned in this paper are 5 day,

20C BOD. The influent insoluble BOD is attributed
to the degradable portion of the influent VSS. The
ratio between these two values depends on the composition of the degradable VSS. In the present work,
a 1 : 1 ratio is assumed, as suggested by Eckenfelder
(1990).
Solids composition and mass balance
In the aeration basin a mixture of biological,
non-biological, fixed or volatile, degradable or

Steady-state model of activated sludge---I

139

It

BOD (effective):
Ammonia
N:
Nitrate
N:

Flow = Q
-

Aerobic Zone
HRT = t

[ Anoxic Zone
---] HRT=tan

aer

ludge

Total Recycle Flow = r, Q

Fig. 1. Flow scheme and symbols definitions for nitrogen--removing activated sludge.

non-degradable SS is present. Its composition is a

result of feed make up and process variables. Biological solids, i.e. volatile particulates of microbial origin,
are only a fraction of the MLVSS present in an
aeration basin. The remaining VSS are organic particulates originating from the influent SS. Of the
biological VSS only a fraction is active, while the
remaining consists of inactive solids such as dead or
fragmented cells. The MLSS is characterized by the
following parameters:

MLSS, X T
MLVSS, X v
Biological fraction of MLVSS, fb
Biodegradable ("active") fraction of biological
MLVSS, ;~d

The concentration of active biological solids has

been correlated with the degradable portion of the
solids. By using material balance equations Quirk
and Eckenfelder (1986) showed that the degradable
portion of the biological VSS can be related to the
system's SRT by:
z~ =

0.8
1 + 0.2b0

(1)

where:
Zd = degradable ("active") fraction of biological
MLVSS in the system
b = endogeneous decay rate coefficient of heterotrophic biomass, d a y 0c = system SRT, day

EFFLUENT & S L U D G E
W A S T A G E CONSTITUENTS

INFLUENT CONSTITUENTS

BOD

S~

BOD

(l-f0 Xl

~gXi

"Remaining" VSS
Non - Desradable
Biolosical V$S

AXT
Degradable
Biological VSS

-3-

S~-S,

Biological FSS

i// /t*///fA~

Fig. 2. Symbols definition and mass balance.

WR ~/l--J

>S~T

140

YERACHMIEL ARGAMAN

The VSS leaving the system through wastage of

sludge and solids carry over from the secondary
clarifier consists of three components:
Cellular material formed by the growth of microorganisms
Non-biodegradable VSS in the influent
Remaining portion of influent degradable VSS
which was not degraded within the system
Part of the generated VSS is
endogenous decay. Under steady
VSS leaving the system through
final effluent is, therefore, given

eliminated through
state conditions, the
sludge wastage and
by:

A X ~ = a(So - S~) + (1 - fd)fvX~

+ f~faf~Xi--bfbZdXvt

(2)

where:
AXv = VSS leaving the system, expressed as mgVSS
per liter of wastewater flow, mg 1a = yield coefficient, gVSS (gBOD)-1
S~ = effective influent BOD, mg 1-1
X i = influent total SS, mg 1S~ = effluent soluble BOD, mgl 1
fv = volatile fraction of influent SS
fd = degradable fraction of influent VSS
f~ = remaining (not hydrolyzed) fraction of influent degradable VSS
t ~ system nominal HRT, day
Xv= MLVSS, mg 1-a
L = biological fraction of MLVSS
The "effective" influent BOD used in this model
is defined as the summation of the soluble and the
solubilized BOD. The latter is proportional to
the particulate BOD that is actually hydrolyzed in the
system. Thus the effective influent BOD depends
on the system operation parameters. Based on
the 1:1 ratio assumption between hydrolized VSS
and its 5 day BOD, the effective BOD is expressed
by
S; = S O+ (1 --fr)fvfdX~

(3)

where
S o = influent soluble BOD, mg 1-1
From the definition of the SRT, the hydraulic residence time is given by:
t=

AXvo

X~ c

(4)

Substituting equation (2) in equation (4) and solving

for t yields:
t =

Oc{a(S'o - Se) -1- Xifv[1 +fd~r -- 1)]}

Xv(l +

bfbzdOc)

(5)

Since the bulk of the mixed liquor solids originate

from the recycle of secondary clarifier underflow,
the MLSS composition is nearly equal to that of the
excess sludge. Hence the biological fraction of the

MLVSS is the same as in the excess sludge (AXe).

Using equation (2), this fraction can be expressed by:
fb =

AXv - ~ f d + 1 - f a ) f v X ~

ax~

(6)

Kinetics o f substrate removal

In the kinetic approach adopted herein, the removals of soluble and insoluble BOD are treated
separately as shown below. The effect of particulate
BOD loading on the removal kinetics of soluble BOD
is accounted for by assuming that the portion of the
insoluble BOD which is hydrolyzed in the aeration
basin exerts an additional soluble BOD load. Thus,
in the kinetic equations which will follow, the "effective" influent soluble BOD defined in equation (3) is
used. A somewhat analogous approach was taken by
Rittman et al. (1987) in evaluating the fate of degradable microbial products in activated sludge systems.
The BOD of municipal wastewater is made of
multiple cabonaceous organic compounds. The
biodegradation rate of the individual compounds
follows the Monod Kinetics. Assuming that the concentration of each of these compounds in the reactor
exceeds its half-saturation parameter, the degradation of each compound approaches a zero-order
kinetics (Tischler and Eckenfelder, 1969). Hence the
rate of BOD conversion is independent of the reactor
flow regime (Argaman, 1991). Based on this assumption and following the kinetic approach of Adams
et al. (1975) and Grau et al. (1975), the effluent BOD
from a two-zone system as shown in Fig. 1 can be
expressed by:

(s;) 2

S~ --

S ; + (Kaer taer +

Kantan)fbZdXv

(7)

where:
K,er, K,n = pseudo first-order BOD removal rate
coefficients in the aerobic and anoxic
zones, respectively, day -1
t .... t,. = HRT in the aerobic and anoxic zones,
respectively, day.
A two-zone system (aerobic and anoxic) was selected
as a general scheme that can also apply to a singlesludge nitrogen removal system.
The BOD removal rate coefficient in the aerobic
zone is affected by the dissolved oxygen concentration while in the anoxic zone it depends on the
nitrate level. These substrate effects are assumed to
follow a Monod type expression. In both zones it also
depends on temperature. It is also assumed that for
a given wastewater, the basic rates of degradation
under aerobic and anoxic conditions are interrelated
(Kayser, 1993). Hence,
DO
Kaer = K ( 2 0 ) D O + Ks....

K~. = 0K(20)

0T 20

N~
0v_2 o
N2 + K~,,n

(8)

(9)

Steady-state model of activated sludge---I

where:
K(20) = pseudo first-order BOD removal rate
coefficient under aerobic conditions
with no oxygen limitation at 20C,
day DO = dissolved oxygen concentration in
aerobic zone, mg 1-'
N 2 = n i t r a t e nitrogen concentration in
anoxic zone, mg l Ks..... Ks,~n= half saturation coefficients for BOD
removal in aerobic and anoxic zones,
respectively, mg 1-1
0 = temperature correction coefficient for
BOD removal rate coefficient
= ratio between BOD removal rate coefficients in anoxic and aerobic zone
at 20C and no substrate limitations
T = aeration basin temperature, C
The particulate BOD is rapidly removed from the
liquid stream and becomes adsorbed and enmeshed
within the biomass flocs. Although these particulates
are rapidly removed from the wastestream, they are
only partially degraded within the system. They
are typically slower to degrade since they must be
solubilized by extracellular enzymes before they can
penetrate the bacterial cell wall.
However, their residence time in the system is equal
to the SRT which, in most cases, is considerably
longer than the HRT.
Based on the work of Barth (1979) and Balmat
(1957), hydrolysis of particulate organics is considered to be first-order with respect to the concentration of degradable particulates. This approach was
also adopted by Eckenfelder (1990) and Goronszy
and Eckenfelder (1991). In the current model the first
order rate constant was taken as proportional to the
active biological solids since it is logical to assume
that the release of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes
would be proportional to the concentration of active
biomass. Hence, the fraction of the influent degradable VSS which remains unhydrolyzed is given by
fr =

1
l + KpfbXdXvO c

(10)

where
Kp = particulate BOD hydrolysis rate coefficient, 1
(mg day)- 1
The rate coefficients Kp is also temperature dependent:
K. = K.(20)0pr-2

It should be reemphasized that equation (10) describes the rate of hydrolysis of the particulate organics, i.e. its conversion to soluble BOD. This rate is
dependent on the concentration of active biomass in
the system. Removal of particulate organics from the
liquid phase via enmeshment in the mixed liquor floes
is considered instantaneous and complete. The fraction remaining of these organics leave the system
mainly through sludge wastage with minute quantities in the solids carryover from the secondary
clarifier.
NITROGEN REMOVAL

The treatment system discussed herein consists of

two completely mixed reactors, one anoxic and the
other aerobic. Mixed liquor from the aerobic reactor
is recycled to the anoxic reactor for denitrification, as
illustrated in Fig. 1.
Several simplifying assumptions are made in the
subsequent development. These are:
All reduced nitrogen is in the form of ammonia.
All oxidized nitrogen is in the form of nitrate.
The nitrifiers biomass concentration is negligible
compared to the heterotrophic biomass.
The heterotrophic yield coefficients under
aerobic and anoxic conditions are the same.
The specific growth rate of nitrifying microorganisms depends on the concentrations of ammonia
nitrogen and dissolved oxygen, as well as the ambient
temperature:
-- ~//(20)

I~N --

Kp(20) = hydrolysis rate coefficient at 20C for

particulate BOD, i (mg day)-)
0p = temperature coefficients for particulate
BOD

n ....

Ae
DO
- - .
KA + A " Ko + D 0

exp[0.098(T - 20)]
(12)

where
actual growth rate of nitrifiers, day i
maximum growth rate of nitrifiers at
20C, d a y m e = concentration of ammonia nitrogen in
the effluent and the nitrification zone,
mgl -~
KA, K0 = nitrification half saturation coefficients
for ammonia nitrogen and DO, respectively, mg l~N
/g(2o)
N,rnax

As indicated by Ekama and Marais (1984) in a

two-zone system as depicted in Fig. 2, the aerobic
SRT is related to the net nitrifiers growth rate by
0c., =

(ll)

where:

141

(13)

r/# n -- b n

where
0c.~ = aerobic SRT, day.
bs = endogenous decay rate coefficient of nitrifiers, d a y r/= aerobic volume fraction

142

YERACHM1EL ARGAMAN

The aerobic SRT is related to the overall SRT by

0c,~ = q0

(14)

The HRTs in the aerobic and anoxic zones are given

by
taer = qt

(15)

t,n = (1 --t/)t

(16)

A mass balance of nitrogen yields the following

expression for the overall recycle:
r -

(A0 - Ae) - X N f b A X v
- 1
N~ - N 2

(17)

where:
A0 = concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the
influent, mg 1- t
Ne = concentration of nitrate nitrogen in the effluent, mg lXN=nitrogen content of biological SS, gN
(gVSS)- l
r = overall (mixed liquor + return sludge) recycle
ratio
The nitrate nitrogen utilized in the anoxic zone is
related to the BOD oxidized in this zone. If nitrate is
viewed as an oxygen substitute in this zone, its
utilization rate can be expressed in analogy with
oxygen consumption in aerobic systems. Thus,
(N~ -- N2) = a'~.(Sj - S'2) + b'.nt'..ZdfbX~

(18)

where:
N l = concentration of nitrate nitrogen entering the
anoxic zone, mg 1-1
Sj =effective BOD entering the anoxic zone,
mgl
St=effective BOD leaving the anoxic zone,
mg 1-~
a~. =dissimilatory nitrate utilization coefficient,
gNO3-N (gBOD) 1
b~,=endogenous nitrate utilization rate coefficient, gNO3-N (gVSS day)t~,. = single pass HRT, based on total flow, in
anoxic zone, day
The single pass HRT is related to the nominal
HRT by
/an

ta~ = - l+r

(19)

This form of relationship also applies to the aerobic

and total HRT.
Substitution of equation (19) and rearrangement of
equation (18) yields
l+r
t,. = - [N. - N 2 - a'~.(S{ - S~)]
b'~.)~afbX.

(20)

Materials balance around point P of Fig. 1 yields

No + r Ne
N~ = - l+r

(21)

S~ + rS~
Sj - - l+r

(22)

where
No = influent nitrate concentration, mg lUsing the same kinetic approach as in deriving
equation (7), the fraction of BOD removed in the
anoxic zone in a system without recycle can be
calculated as

S~ - S 2
Sj-S~

Kantan[S~ + (Kantan + Kaertaer)fb%dXv]

(Ka. tan+Kaertaer)(S'o+KantanfbZdXv)
(23)

Since the BOD is made of multiple zero-order

decaying substrates the same expression holds for a
system with mixed liquor and sludge recycle.
The endogenous decay rates and endogenous
nitrate consumption rate are also temperature
dependent:
b = b (20)0tbT- 2m

(24a)

bN = bN (20)0~bT- 20)

(24b)

b~n = b~.(20)0~br 20)

(24c)

where
b (20), b~ (20) = endogenous decay rate coefficients
for heterotrophs and nitrifiers, respectively 20C, day
0 b = temperature correction coefficient
for endogenous decay and nitrate
utilization rates
ba.(20 ) = endogenous nitrate utilization rate
coefficient at 20C, gNO3-N
(gVSS day)MODEL APPLICATION
The model can be used for design of a new system
or for analyzing the performance of an existing one.
In both cases, a set of 23 equations has to be solved
simultaneously. The set consists of equations (1-3),
(5-17), (20-24c), with the following 35 design and
operation variables:
Influent characteristics: So, A0, No, Xi,fv,fd
Effluent characteristics: Se, At, N~
Intermediate quality parameters:
S(~, Sj, St, NI, N2
Kinetic parameters:
]AN. . . . . Kaer, Kan, Kp, b, bN, ban
Design and operation parameters:
DO, T , f , t , Xv,AXv, Oc, O,a, Zd, rl, r,t .... ta.,r
In order to obtain a solution of the set of
equations, all model kinetic and stoichiometric coefficients must be known and 12 of the parameters
must be specified. Selection of the variables to be
specified depends on the nature of the problem.
For a design application, the specified parameters
include all six influent characteristics, two of the
effluent characteristics, preferably ammonia and

143

Steady-state model of activated sludge--I

nitrate nitrogen, the system DO, MLVSS and temperature, and the nitrate concentration leaving the
anoxic zone (N:). Any commercial solver can be used
for this purpose. A trial and error solution flow chart
is illustrated in Fig. 3.
After solving the model equations, one can calculate the total sludge produced, the effluent total BOD
and the oxygen requirement, as shown below.
The total sludge leaving the system is made of the
volatile fraction AXv given in equation (2), the fixed
portion of the biological sludge, and the fixed SS
contained in the influent. Assuming that newly
formed cells consist of approx. 75% degradable VSS,
20% non-degradable VSS and 5% fixed SS, the fixed

portion amounts to 25% of the non-degradable biological VSS. Hence, the TSS leaving the system is
given by:
A , ~ T : A . ~ v --F 0 . 2 5 f b ( 1 -- ~(d)A.'tVv + (1 - - f v ) x ~ i

where:
AXr = TSS leaving the system expressed as mgSS
per liter of wastewater flow, mg 1The effluent total BOD can be approximated if the
effluent TSS is known. This BOD is made up of the
soluble portion, Se, and an insoluble portion contributed by degradable VSS in the effluent. The latter,

KnownVariables
[
So'Xi'fv ' fd' Ao'No'X v' DO'T'Ae' Ne' N2

'i,

I Calculate KP'lb' bN
24c.
aandrespectively
b~n
n bYeq"
d 11'24a''b42

I
>i

I
Assume ~ =I] o

I!
I

fb, o= fb, o+Afb,o

>1
>1

II

CalculateOc,a byeq. 13

Assutae Se = Se, o

..

Assume fb = fb, o

Calculate Oc , Zd, fr, SO, t, AXv, and fb l

by eq. 14,1,10,3,5,2, and 6, respectively l

Calculater, taet, tan, Ka~ r ,Kan,and

Se

by eq. 17,15,16, 8,9, and 7, respectively

(25)

C.mcma~ N I , s'I, s 2, t,~,and

by eq, 21,22,23,20, and 16, respectivdy

@

I Calcula~AXT, AAaa, ANdaaa,O2,amd Se,T

I byeq. 25,28,29,27,and26,res~-fively

Fig. 3. Nitrogen-removing activated sludge model solution flow chart.

144

YERACHMIELARGAMAN

in turn, consists of residual influent VSS which did

not degrade in the process and the degradable portion
of the biological VSS which were formed in the
process. Assuming that the SS composition in the
effluent is similar to that of the MLSS, and using a
BOD/degradable VSS ratio of 1.0 the effluent total
BOD can be expressed by:
Se,r = Se + ,Ye

f, ALxi +AzdAxv
AXT

(26)

where
Xe -----effluent TSS, mg 1Sex = effluent total BOD, mg 1-1
Oxygen utilization in a nitrogen removing system
includes oxygen consumed for BOD removal, nitrification and endogenous decay. Part of the oxygen is
derived from denitrification. Hence the overall oxygen consumption is given by
02 = a'(S~ -- S~) + b'fbZdXv t
+ 4.6AAnit -- 2.86ANdenit (27)
where:
02 = oxygen requirement, mg O2 (1 of flow)a ' = oxygen utilization coefficient, g 02
(gBOD)- J
b' = endogenous oxygen consumption rate, g
O2 (gVSS day) -1
AAnit = ammonia nitrified, mg lANdenit = nitrate denitrified, mg 1- l
b' is also temperature dependent in an expression
similar to equation (24).
The 4.6 factor is the stoichiometric amount of
oxygen required for nitrification of a unit mass
of ammonia nitrogen, and the 2.86 factor is the
oxygen equivalent of one unit mass of nitrate
nitrogen.
The nitrified and denitrified nitrogen concentrations, based on throughput flow are given by
AA.~t = Ao - Ae - XNfbAXv

(28)

ANdenit= AA.i, - Ne

(29)

and

The model can also be used for a variety of other

purposes such as predicting the performance of an
existing system, retrofitting a system for nitrogen
control, design or analysis of a single basin system
and more. All applications require knowledge of all
process coefficients. Many of these are fairly well
known for domestic wastewater. Experimental evaluation of the hydrolysis constant for particulate organics was performed by Eliosov (1994). Many of the
remaining coefficients were estimated by Argaman
and Papkov (1995) based on bench-scale studies of
domestic wastewater.

SUMMARY

A steady-state model for the activated sludge process with or without nitrogen control was proposed.
Its special features include:
Degradation kinetics of soluble and particulate
organics are addressed separately.
The effect of particulate organics on the degradation of soluble organics is accounted for
by defining an "effective" soluble BOD which is
the summation of soluble BOD and actually
hydrolyzed particulate BOD.
The pseudo-first order kinetic law is used for
soluble BOD removal, bearing in mind the
zero-order degradation of the individual substrates making up the overall BOD.
Degradation of particulate organics follows a
first-order rate expression and is proportional to
the biologically active MLVSS and to the SRT.
Mixed liquor solids consist of fixed SS, non-biological VSS, biological active VSS and biological
non-active VSS.
Nitrate removal in the anoxic zone is controlled
by carbonaceous organic degradation rate. It is
treated in analogy with oxygen utilization in
aerobic systems.
The rate of BOD removal in the anoxic zone is
taken as a fraction of that in the aerobic zone.

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