POLITECNICO DI MILANO

Como Campus

M. Sc. in Environmental and Geomatic Engineering

IMPROVING THE DESIGN OF A FULL

SCALE
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
WITH THE USE OF THE COMPLEX
ACTIVATED SLUDGE MODEL

Supervisor: prof. Giorgio Guariso

Master Thesis by:

Vladimir Katić
Student ID 779548

Academic Year 2015/2016

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Table of Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 5
LIST of abbreviations.................................................................................................................... 6
LIST of figures .............................................................................................................................. 7
LIST of tables ................................................................................................................................ 8
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 9
1.1 Basics of biological wastewater treatment .................................................................. 10
1.2 Activated Sludge Process (ASP) ................................................................................. 11
1.2.1 General information ................................................................................................ 11
1.2.2 Activated Sludge Process variables......................................................................... 13
1.3 Membrane Bioreactor technology (MBR)................................................................... 15
1.3.1 General information ................................................................................................ 15
1.3.2 Efficiency and comparison with the conventional ASP ........................................... 17
1.4 Porec project background ............................................................................................ 20
1.4.1 Framework of the project ........................................................................................ 20
1.4.2 Description of the project ........................................................................................ 21
1.5 Scope of the Work ....................................................................................................... 24
CHAPTER 2 - MODELLING OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESSES ............................... 25
2.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 25
2.2 Activated sludge models ............................................................................................. 26
2.2.1 Activated sludge model development ...................................................................... 26
2.2.2 Activated sludge models assumptions and limitations ............................................ 29
2.3 Simulation environments............................................................................................. 32
2.4 Model applications ...................................................................................................... 32
2.4.1 WWTP model simulation for learning ..................................................................... 33
2.4.2 WWTP model simulation for design ........................................................................ 33
2.4.3 WWTP model simulation for process optimization ................................................. 34
CHAPTER 3 - APPLICATION OF THE BIOWIN MODELLING TOOL ............................... 35
3.1 About BioWin 5.0 ....................................................................................................... 35
3.2 Implemented Biological/Chemical models ................................................................. 36
3.2.1 Activated sludge processes ...................................................................................... 37
3.2.2 Other important physical phenomena implemented ................................................ 41

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 3.3 Model simulation for WWTP Porec South ................................................................. 42
3.3.1 Project design parameters....................................................................................... 42
3.3.2 Plant configuration ................................................................................................. 44
3.4 Performed simulations and results .............................................................................. 46
3.4.1 Input data ................................................................................................................ 47
3.4.2 Dynamic simulation, summer (variable inflow) ...................................................... 48
3.4.3 Dynamic simulation, winter (variable inflow)......................................................... 52
3.4.4 Yearly average SRT of the WWTP ........................................................................... 54
3.5 Comparison with ATV-DVWK rules and standards ................................................... 55
3.5.1 Required Sludge Age - winter .................................................................................. 56
3.5.2 Required Sludge Age - summer ............................................................................... 57
3.5.3 Determination of the proportion of the reactor volume for denitrification ............. 58
3.5.4 Phosphorous removal .............................................................................................. 59
3.5.5 Sludge production ................................................................................................... 60
3.5.6 Volume of the biological reactor ............................................................................. 63
3.5.7 Summary of obtained results ................................................................................... 64
3.6 Simulation of an extreme event ................................................................................... 65
3.6.1 Assumed scenario .................................................................................................... 65
3.6.2 Performed simulation and results ........................................................................... 65
CHAPTER 4 - CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................ 69
BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................... 70
ANNEX - BIOWIN PARAMETERS (ASP) .............................................................................. 72

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Abstract

This thesis discusses the application of a complex activated sludge modelling tool which
was implemented to assure the predictability and improve the design and effectiveness
of a biological wastewater treatment for the full-scale Wastewater Treatment Plant
(WWTP) “Porec South”, situated in the touristic coastal town of Porec (Parenzo) -
Republic of Croatia.
The above mentioned plant represents a part of a larger project consisting of four
wastewater treatment plants, all designed with the Membrane Bioreactor Technology
(MBR). This project has been awarded to a consortium of companies SUEZ-STRABAG
in August 2015, for which the Design & Build process is still ongoing during the
development of this work.
The selected tool used for the simulation is BioWin 5.0 (EnviroSim Associates Ltd.).
Since the plant is characterized by a large seasonal difference in terms of its hydraulic
and mass loads, the model was applied for the period with the heaviest load (summer)
and then the simulation was repeated for the period with the lowest load (winter). The
obtained study and simulations describe and confirm the chosen configuration of the
WWTP Porec South and its design using a modelling tool which is widely used and
universally recognized in the scientific community.
The results will permit to check and validate the design and to confirm process tank
volumes (anaerobic, anoxic and aerated volumes), sludge concentration, excess sludge
extraction and sludge age, recirculation rates and most importantly, the compliance to
the discharge limits and the requirements of the project .
Furthermore, an additional simulation is performed to demonstrate the effect of an
extreme peak flow event (5-day storm event) on the plant and how it might affect the
performance of the wastewater treatment process. This would give further performance
indicators of the project, thus assuring the safety and operability of the plant.

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LIST of abbreviations
ASDM Activated Sludge/Digestion Model
ASM Activated Sludge Model
ASP Activated Sludge process
BOD Biological Oxygen Demand
BIO-P Biological Phosphorus Removal
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
DO Dissolved Oxygen
F/M Food to Microorganism ratio
HRT Hydraulic Retention Time
IAWPRC International Association on Water Pollution Research and Control
IWA International Water Association
MBR Membrane Bioreactor
MBBR Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor
MLSS Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
PAO Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms
PE Population Equivalent
RBC Rotating Biological Reactor
SBR Sequencing Batch Reactor
SRT Solids Residence Time
SS Suspended solids
TSS Total Suspended Solids
TUDP Metabolic model developed at the Delft University of Technology
VFA Volatile Fatty Acids
VSS Volatile Suspended Solids
WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant

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LIST of figures
 Figure 1: Generalized, schematic diagram of an activated sludge process
(complete mixing)
 Figure 2: Example of a WWTP with a conventional ASP technology
(WWTP Milano San Rocco: 1.050.000 PE)
 Figure 3: Submerged MBR with internal vacuum-driven membrane filtration
 Figure 4: Side-stream MBR with external pressure driven membrane filtration
 Figure 5: Overview of the filtration processes
 Figure 6: Scope of the MBR process compared to the conventional activated
sludge process with extensions
 Figure 7: Example of MBR technology with submerged membranes
(WWTP Rimini: 570.000 PE)
 Figure 8: Project location
 Figure 9: Substrate flows for autotrophic and heterotrophic biomass in ASM1
and ASM3 models
 Figure 10: Substrate flows for storage and growth of PAOs in the ASM2 model
 Figure 11: Substrate flows for storage and aerobic growth of PAOs in the
TUDP model
 Figure 12: Example of a plant configuration in BioWin (WWTP Porec South)
 Figure 13: Simplified scheme of WWTP Porec South biological section
 Figure 14: BioWin main simulator window for WWTP Porec South (summer
period)
 Figure 15: BioWin main simulator window for WWTP Porec South (winter
period)
 Figure 16: Pattern of flow distribution employed for winter and summer
simulations, only the applied coefficients - that were not modified in the three
simulations - are reported (and not the flows)
 Figure 17: Effluent Nitrogen fractions in summer
 Figure 18: Total excess sludge production from dewatering in summer
 Figure 19: Weekly operation of the centrifuge, where the 1 represent an hour of
duty of the equipment and the 0 an hour of standby
 Figure 20: Total waste material produced from pretreatment in summer
 Figure 21: Biomass concentrations
 Figure 22: Effluent nitrogen fractions in winter
 Figure 23: Total excess sludge production from dewatering in winter
 Figure 24: Total waste material produced from pretreatment in winter
 Figure 25: Effluent Nitrogen fractions (summer - extreme event)
 Figure 26: Total waste material produced from pre-treatment (summer -
extreme event)
 Figure 27: Total excess sludge production from dewatering (summer - extreme
event)
 Figure 28: Air flow rate need to perform the aeration of biomass (summer -
extreme event)

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LIST of tables
 Table 1: Comparison of the performance: membrane bioreactor process and
conventional activated sludge process (with and without extensions for
disinfection)
 Table 2: Estimated pollution parameters for the project
 Table 3: Estimated pollution and influent loads for the project
 Table 4: Overview of activated sludge models
 Table 5: Typical flow values of influent wastewater for WWTP Porec South
 Table 6: Inhabitant-specific loads in g/(I·d)
 Table 7: Design daily loads of influent wastewater for WWTP Porec South
 Table 8: Limit values considered for water discharge from the WWTP Porec
South
 Table 9: Influent characterization - Input values for BioWin simulation for
summer and winter period
 Table 10: Summary of the biological tank volumes for WWTP Porec South
 Table 11: Calculations to determine the yearly average SRT
 Table 12: Dimensioning sludge age in days dependent on the treatment target
and the temperature as well as the plant size (intermediate values are to be
estimated)
 Table 13: Standard values for the dimensioning of denitrification for dry
weather at temperatures from 10° to 12° C and common conditions (kg nitrate
nitrogen to be denitrified per kg influent BOD5)
 Table 14: Values used in the calculation of the anaerobic HRT
 Table 15: Parameters and calculations employed for the comparison on sludge
production
 Table 16: Sludge production as a function of the different SRT obtained or
stated in the ATV-DVWK-A 131E
 Table 17: Parameters for biological reactor volume determination
 Table 18: Summary of the compliance of the WWTP design with ATV-DVWK-
A 131E/Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse

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CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

The progressive deterioration of water resources globally and the large amount of
polluted water generated in industrialized societies gives wastewater treatment
processes a fundamental importance in the water loss prevention. New guidelines and
regulations (i.e. Directive 91/271/CEE) enforce the adoption of specific quality indexes
for the treated wastewater. Taking into account current environmental problems, it is not
unrealistic to believe that this trend will continue. At the same time loads on existing
plants are expected to increase due to growth of urban areas. This situation demands
more efficient treatment procedures for wastewater.
Effluents from wastewater treatment plants has been reported as the main cause of
eutrophication in surface waters. Small amounts of nutrients can lead to eutrophication
and stimulate excessive production of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the form of
algae, loss of oxygen resources, changes in aquatic population and subsequent
deterioration of water quality.
In the field of domestic wastewater treatment, there is an increasing requirement to
improve effluent quality for the benefit of receiving surface waters. Additionally, it is
required to minimise energy consumption and reduce the use of chemicals in the
treatment process.
Inside a biological wastewater treatment plant, the Activated Sludge Process (ASP) is
the most commonly used technology to remove organic pollutant from wastewater, even
if the process was developed in the early 20th century. This is because it is the most
cost-effective, it is very flexible (it can be adapted to any kind of wastewater), it is
reliable and has the capacity of producing high quality effluent (Mulas, 2006).
Further technological developments in recent years have led to the application of a
membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology for full-scale municipal wastewater treatment.
The MBR is a suspended growth-activated sludge system that utilizes microporous
membranes for solid/liquid separation instead of secondary clarifiers that are used in a
conventional ASP. It represents a decisive step forward concerning effluent quality by
delivering a hygienically pure effluent and by exhibiting a very high operational
reliability. Advanced MBR wastewater treatment technology is being successfully
applied at an ever-increasing number of locations around the world.
The design and operation of biological wastewater treatment plants that implement the
above mentioned technologies can be simplified through the use of mathematical
models. The activated sludge models elaborated in the last two decades have resulted in
several mathematical models comprehensively describing biological wastewater
treatment processes, especially with regard to activated sludge systems. A fundamental
meaning in this area had the formulation of the Activated Sludge Model no. 1 (ASM1)
by the International Association on Water Pollution Research and Control (IAWPRC,
formerly known as IAWQ and IWA). Although neither biological nor chemical
phosphorus removal was incorporated into ASM1, this model provided the matrix
notation system and the nomenclature used in further models (inter alia ASM2 and
ASM2d). The development of these initial models has allowed the prediction of the

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effluent composition including the content of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus
compounds. They have proven to be very helpful in the optimization studies for the
existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and the design and development of
control strategies for the existing or new WWTPs (Liwarska-Bizukojc, 2013).

1.1 Basics of biological wastewater treatment

Biological treatment is an important and integral part of any wastewater treatment plant
that treats wastewater from either municipality or industry having soluble organic
impurities or a mix of the two types of wastewater sources. The obvious economic
advantage, both in terms of capital investment and operating costs, of biological
treatment over other treatment processes like chemical oxidation; thermal oxidation etc.
has cemented its place in any integrated wastewater treatment plant.
Biological treatment using aerobic activated sludge process has been in practice for well
over a century. Increasing pressure to meet more stringent discharge standards or not
being allowed to discharge treated effluent has led to implementation of a variety of
advanced biological treatment processes in recent years (e.g. Wastewater Engineering:
Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf & Eddy, 2002).
In principle, the biological wastewater treatment is based on metabolism of natural
microorganisms to eliminate pollution caused by dissolved substances and to achieve
the prescribed parameters for secure release into the environment. These
microorganisms eliminate dissolved contamination by assimilating it for the needs of
their own growth and reproduction, leading to an increase of biological sludge
(biomass) that has to be separated from treated water.
Development of microorganisms may be organized in the form of suspended growth or
as attached growth:

a) Suspended growth
In suspended growth systems, such as activated sludge (also aerated lagoons and
aerobic digestion) waste and microorganisms are combined while oxygen diffuse and
penetrate into the cell. The microorganisms develop freely in a liquid environment and
they naturally group in floccules. The settled flocs are retained in a clarifier while part
of the sludge is recycled to the aeration tank. The ratio of recycled sludge influences the
performance of biological treatment. In relation to activated sludge concentration, time
and volume needed for purification (in relation to natural purification in rivers) are
significantly reduced. Excess sludge is regularly extracted and conveyed to the sludge
treatment section.

b) Attached growth
Contrary to suspended solid systems, microorganisms can also develop on submerged or
fixed media, watered by water that needs treatment: it is an attached growth procedure.
Microorganisms as a biofilm are maintained and grown on the media and they get in

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contact with fresh wastewater. Trickling filters and rotating biological contactors
(RBCs) are two popular attached growth processes which are commonly used in
industrial wastewater treatment. The trickling filter consists of a fixed bed media of
rocks, plastic material, or textile media. In this process wastewater flows downward and
passes and creates a biofilm on the media, that becomes thick and falls off when the
thickness of biofilm increase considerably. This phenomenon is known as “sloughing”.
Also, RBCs consist of a series of circular disks rotating through the wastewater flow,
partially submerged. These rotating disks are usually plastic. Microorganisms as biofilm
are developed on exterior surface of the disks and eventually sloughs off if the film gets
thick.
Advantages of the attached growth are its compactness and reactivity. On the other
hand, it requires complex pre-treatment (primary straining or settling, depending on the
case) and the remaining sludge is very fermentable.
The suspended growth technique is more extensive than the attached growth technique,
but on the other hand it is characterized by greater culture stability. Combined systems
also exist: organisms from the fixed culture on mobile carriers are added and mixed in
the activated sludge mixture (e.g. Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors).
In the following chapters 1.2 and 1.3, we shall briefly discuss the fundamentals and the
differences between the conventional activated sludge process and the membrane
bioreactor process, given that the former represents the base for the implemented
modelling tool, while the latter represents the implemented technology of the project we
will examine (Case study).
In chapter 1.4 are represented all the basic information and parameters that make up the
considered application.

1.2 Activated Sludge Process (ASP)

1.2.1 General information

The most common suspended growth process used for municipal wastewater treatment
is the activated sludge process as shown in figure:

Figure 1: Generalized, schematic diagram of an activated sludge process (complete mixing)

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In activated sludge process wastewater containing organic matter is aerated in an
aeration basin which promotes microorganisms to metabolize the suspended and soluble
organic matter. Part of organic matter is synthesized into new cells and part is oxidized
to CO2 and water to derive energy. In activated sludge systems the new cells formed in
the reaction are removed from the liquid stream in the form of a flocculent sludge in
settling tanks. A part of this settled biomass, described as activated sludge is returned to
the aeration tank and the remaining forms waste or excess sludge.
Activated sludge plant involves:
 wastewater aeration in the presence of a microbial suspension;
 solid-liquid separation following aeration;
 discharge of clarified effluent;
 wasting of excess biomass;
 return of remaining biomass to the aeration tank.
Activated sludge is today the most common procedure for municipal wastewater
biological treatment, mainly because it has proved to be the most flexible and cost
effective. It enables treatment of primary municipal pollutants (carbon, nitrogen,
phosphorus, suspended solids) with production of relatively stable sludge.

Figure 2: Example of a WWTP with a conventional ASP technology

(WWTP Milano San Rocco: 1.050.000 PE)

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 1.2.2 Activated Sludge Process variables

The main variables of activated sludge process are the mixing regime, loading rate, and
the flow scheme.
Mixing Regime
Generally two types of mixing regimes are of major interest in activated sludge process:
plug flow and complete mixing. In the first, the regime is characterized by orderly flow
of mixed liquor through the aeration tank with no element of mixed liquor overtaking or
mixing with any other element. There may be lateral mixing of mixed liquor but there
must be no mixing along the path of flow.
In complete mixing, the contents of aeration tank are well stirred and uniform
throughout. Thus, at steady state, the effluent from the aeration tank has the same
composition as the aeration tank contents.
The type of mixing regime is very important as it affects (1) oxygen transfer
requirements in the aeration tank, (2) susceptibility of biomass to shock loads, (3) local
environmental conditions in the aeration tank, and (4) the kinetics governing the
treatment process.
Loading Rate
A loading parameter that has been developed over the years is the hydraulic retention
time (HRT) θ defined as:

𝑉
𝜃=
𝑄

where V= volume of aeration tank, m3, and Q = sewage inflow, m3/d

Another empirical loading parameter is the volumetric organic loading which is
defined as the BOD applied per unit volume of aeration tank, per day.
A rational loading parameter which has found wider acceptance and is often preferred is
the specific substrate utilization rate, q, per day.

𝑄 ( 𝑆𝑜 − 𝑆𝑒 )
𝑞=
𝑉𝑋

where So and Se are influent and effluent organic matter concentration respectively,
measured as BOD5 (g/m3),
A similar loading parameter is the mean cell residence time or sludge retention time
(SRT) θc :

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 𝑉𝑋
𝜃𝑐 =
𝑄𝑤 𝑋𝑟 + (𝑄 − 𝑄𝑤 𝑋𝑒 )

where X, Xe and Xr are MLSS concentration in aeration tank, effluent and return sludge
respectively, and Qw = waste activated sludge rate.
Under steady state operation, the mass of waste activated sludge is given by:

𝑄𝑤 𝑋𝑟 = 𝑌𝑄 (𝑆𝑜 − 𝑆𝑒 ) − 𝑘𝑑 𝑋𝑉

where Y= maximum yield coefficient (microbial mass synthesized / mass of substrate

utilized) and kd = endogenous decay rate (d-1) .
From the above equation it is seen that 1/θc = Yq - kd

If the value of Se is small as compared So, q may also be expressed as Food to

Microorganism ratio, F/M

𝑄(𝑆𝑜 − 𝑆𝑒 )
𝐹/𝑀 = = 𝑄𝑆𝑜 /𝑋𝑉
𝑋𝑉

The θc value adopted for design controls the effluent quality, and settleability and
drainability of biomass, oxygen requirement and quantity of waste activated sludge.
Flow Scheme
The flow scheme involves:
 the pattern of sewage addition;
 the pattern of sludge return to the aeration tank and;
 the pattern of aeration.
Sewage addition may be at a single point at the inlet end or it may be at several points
along the aeration tank. The sludge return may be directly from the settling tank to the
aeration tank or through a sludge reaeration tank. Aeration may be at a uniform rate or it
may be varied from the head of the aeration tank to its end.

Conventional System and its Modifications

The conventional system maintains a plug flow hydraulic regime. Over the years,
several modifications to the conventional system have been developed to meet specific
treatment objectives. In step aeration settled sewage is introduced at several points
along the tank length which produces more uniform oxygen demand throughout.
Tapered aeration attempts to supply air to match oxygen demand along the length of
the tank. Contact stabilization provides for reaeration of return activated sludge from

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the final clarifier, which allows a smaller aeration or contact tank. Completely mixed
process aims at instantaneous mixing of the influent waste and return sludge with the
entire contents of the aeration tank. Extended aeration process operates at a low organic
load producing lesser quantity of well stabilized sludge.

1.3 Membrane Bioreactor technology (MBR)

1.3.1 General information

The combination of an activated sludge tank with a membrane filtration for the
separation of the activated sludge is called the membrane bioreactor process. The
membrane filtration takes over the separation of the activated sludge in place of the
conventional final clarification. While in secondary settling tanks only the part of the
activated sludge that is settleable is separated, i.e. forms settleable flocks. During
membrane filtration all parts of the activated sludge are separated which are larger than
the molecular separation size of the membrane. Thus, the separation of the activated
sludge from the treated waste water becomes independent of the settling characteristics
of the activated sludge and depends only on the membrane applied. In addition, a higher
solids content can be maintained in the bioreactor than in the conventional activated
sludge process so that less reactor space is needed (pg. 14, Merkblatt DWA-M 227
manual).
The two main MBR configurations for WWTPs are described below.

a) Internal/submerged membranes
The filtration element is installed in either the main bioreactor vessel or in a separate
tank. The membranes can be flat sheet or tubular or a combination of both, and can
incorporate an online backwash system which reduces membrane surface fouling by
pumping membrane permeate back through the membrane. In systems where the
membranes are in a separate tank to the bioreactor, individual trains of membranes can
be isolated to undertake cleaning regimes, however the biomass must be continuously
pumped back to the main reactor to limit TSS concentration increase. Additional
aeration is also required to provide air scouring to reduce fouling. Where the
membranes are installed in the main reactor, membrane modules are removed from the
vessel and transferred to an offline cleaning tank.

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 Figure 3: Submerged MBR with internal vacuum-driven membrane filtration
(Image from http://www.atacsolution.com)

b) External/sidestream
The filtration elements are installed externally to the reactor, often in a plant room. The
biomass is either pumped directly through a number of membrane modules in series and
back to the bioreactor, or the biomass is pumped to a group of modules, from which a
second pump circulates the biomass through the modules in series. Cleaning and
soaking of the membranes can be undertaken in place with use of an installed cleaning
tank, pump and pipeline.

Figure 4: Side-stream MBR with external pressure driven membrane filtration

(Image from http://www.atacsolution.com)

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In the following figure an overview of the filtration process is given. To separate the
activated sludge with its microorganisms and particles from the treated waste water,
microfiltration membranes with a molecular separation size of maximally 0.5 µm are
used for the membrane bioreactor process.

Figure 5: Overview of the filtration processes

1.3.2 Efficiency and comparison with the conventional ASP

The membrane bioreactor process reaches performance values that are better than those
of a conventional activated sludge process with the same size (pg. 18, Merkblatt DWA-
M 227 manual). To achieve comparable values, a conventional activated sludge plant
should show process steps as shown in the following figure:

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 Figure 6: Scope of the MBR process compared to the conventional activated sludge process with
extensions

The advantages of the membrane bioreactor process result from the possible higher
MLSS contents in the activated sludge tank and complete separation of all solid matter
by the membranes. Therefore, nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon in the effluent of
membrane bioreactors are reduced by the fraction which in conventional plants results
from solid matter in the effluent.
Table 1 shows the achievable performance values that can be expected under
conventional municipal supply conditions (pg. 18, Merkblatt DWA-M 227 manual).

Conventional activated sludge

Membrane bioreactor
Parameter
plant
Without extensions With extensions

Solids mg/L 0 10 - 15 3-8

CCSB mg/L < 30 40 - 50 30 - 40

Microbiological
Bathing water quality 1) - Bathing water quality 1)
quality

REMARK:
1) With regard to EC directive 76/160/ECC

Table 1: Comparison of the performance: membrane bioreactor process and conventional

activated sludge process (with and without extensions for disinfection)

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All the main advantages of MBR system over conventional activated sludge systems are
listed below (Arun Mittal, 2011):
 Membrane filtration provides a positive barrier to suspended bio-solids that they
cannot escape the system. This contrasts gravity settling in activated sludge
process, where the bio-solids continuously escape the system along with
clarified effluent and sometimes a total loss of solids is also encountered due to
process upsets causing sludge-bulking in the clarifier. As a result, the bio-solids
concentration measured as MLSS/MLVSS can be maintained 3 to 4 times larger
in an MBR process (~ 10000 mg/L) in comparison to the activated sludge
process (~2500 mg/L).
 Due to the above aspect of MBR, aeration tank size in the MBR system can be
one-third to one-fourth the size of the aeration tank in an activated sludge
system. Further, instead of gravity settling based clarifier, a much more compact
tank is needed to house the membrane cassettes in case of submerged MBR and
skid mounted membrane modules in case of non-submerged, external MBR
system.
 Thus, MBR system requires only 40-60% of the space required for activated
sludge system, therefore significantly reducing the concrete work and overall
foot-print.
 Due to membrane filtration (micro/ultrafiltration), the treated effluent quality in
case of MBR system is far superior compared to conventional activated sludge,
so the treated effluent can be directly reused as cooling tower make-up or for
gardening etc. Typical treated water quality from MBR system is:
o BOD5 < 5 mg/L
o Turbidity < 0.2 NTU

Figure 7: Example of MBR technology with submerged membranes

(WWTP Rimini: 570.000 PE)

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In summary, membrane bioreactor technology has become more popular, abundant, and
accepted in recent years for the treatment of many types of wastewaters, whereas the
conventional ASP process cannot cope with either composition of wastewater or
fluctuations of wastewater flow rate. MBR technology is also used in cases where
demand on the quality of effluent exceeds the capability of conventional ASP. Although
MBR capital and operational costs exceed the costs of conventional process, it seems
that the upgrade of conventional process occurs even in cases when conventional
treatment works well.
Microorganisms are retained by membranes in a very high degree. Studies have shown
that the limit values and guide values for all microorganisms (total number of bacteria
coliforms, faecal coliforms and streptococci) in accordance with the EC Directive on the
quality of bathing water (76/160/EEC 1976) are independent of the weather conditions
(dry weather, storm, continuous rain) and were met in all cases.
Even viruses, the smallest pathogenic organisms which theoretically may pass through
the membrane pores, are retained by the membrane bioreactor process. The viruses
typically accumulate with particles and microorganisms so that they are removed from
the wastewater by the elimination of larger particles. During the studies mentioned
above (source: pg. 19, Merkblatt DWA-M 227 manual)., it was possible to significantly
reduce the concentrations of intestinal viruses.
Filtration units available in municipal wastewater treatment with membranes with a
nominal pore size below 0.5 µm do not differ with respect to the efficiency of particle
removal from each other.
For a long-term high performance it should be guaranteed that no short-circuits between
treated and non-treated wastewater exist and that membranes and connections are
always secure and a contamination of the permeate side is minimized.

1.4 Porec project background

1.4.1 Framework of the project

During the accession period towards the European Union (2013), the Republic of
Croatia had been obliged to transpose the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
(91/271/EEC) into the Croatian legal system. The adoption of the aforementioned
Directive demanded the implementation of extensive and financially “heavy”
investments for construction of integrated wastewater collection and treatment systems.
However, co-financing of such investments was made possible via means of the
Cohesion Fund and European Fund for Regional Development. The extensiveness of
investments, rules for EU co-financing and professional rules have sought a detailed and
careful preparation of the project documentation and attentive evaluation of submitted
tenders during the public procurement procedure of such projects.

20
One such project, which was awarded to a consortium of companies STRABAG -
SUEZ, during August 2015, is the design and construction of four wastewater treatment
plants with Odvodnja LLC as the local public water authority for the town of Porec.

Figure 8: Project location

Located in Istria, a region on the Adriatic coast that is popular with tourists, the town of
Porec increases its population from 24.000 out of season to 115.000 residents during the
holiday season. The coastal waters in the area have been declared as a sensitive area.
With the backing of the European Union, the local authorities have launched a vast
programme to optimise the town's wastewater treatment infrastructures. The project
covers the design and construction of four wastewater treatment plants, equipped with
membrane bioreactors and with a total capacity of 137.500 population equivalent (PE),
as foreseen with the estimated horizon by the end of year 2045. The treated water will
be reused for agricultural irrigation and the sludge from the treatment of the wastewater
will be recovered by solar drying or by composting.

1.4.2 Description of the project

The sewage systems in the coastal areas are reasonably well developed. The sewage
currently only receives rudimentary treatment (mainly screening and, in some cases, grit
collection) and is disposed through submarine outfalls at various points along the coast
line. The sewage systems in settlements to the inland are not developed and wastewater
is disposed in septic tanks and cesspits.
According to the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive the Porec area has a high
priority for compliance. Each of the existing four agglomerations generates more than
10.000 PE and discharges into a sensitive marine recipient and hence requires
appropriate treatment.
Tourist activity and growth rates
The annual tourist activity, measured in overnights and residing on campsites, in hotels
and apartment complexes is estimated to grow from the current 6,6 million annual

21
overnights to 7,5 million during a 30 year period. The peak is in July and August with
approximately 2 million overnights in each of these months and represents a tourist
inflow of between 70.000 and 75.000 people plus another 6.000 - 7.000 people in
weekend houses and in private rooms.
Demand analysis and seasonality
The water consumption and related waste water generation have an explicit seasonal
pattern. The minimum water consumption and waste water generation takes place in the
four winter months (November, December, January, February). The maximum water
consumption and hence wastewater generation takes place in the period from mid –
June to mid - September. Wastewater is generated by resident population, weekend
house users, tourists (camps, self-catering and hotels) and the ancillary tourist
infrastructure.
The total generated load in the summer months is estimated to be approx. 119.000 PE
for the predicted start of operation (2017) and will increase to approx. 137.500 PE at the
end of design horizon.

Climate and weather

The project area is in the border zone between sub-Mediterranean and mild continental
climate, but under strong maritime influence. The climate is mildly Mediterranean, with
dry and warm summers, frequent and intensive autumn and spring rains-showers, and
comparatively mild winters, mainly without snow.
According to Köppen classification, the climate of the City of Porec is moderately warm
and rainy sub-humid. The mean temperature in the coldest month of the year is higher
than 5°C, and lower than 22°C. There is no distinctive dry period and minimum rainfall
in summer, with mean temperature in the warmest month of the year higher than 25°C,
and with at least four consecutive months with mean temperature above 10°C, rainy
period in autumn, and in addition to the main rainfall minimum in winter, with a minor
dry period in summer.
The average annual rainfall ranges between 780 and 1.100 mm. The precipitation occurs
mainly in the form of rain, very rarely as hail or snow. The maximum average monthly
rainfall occurs in September, October and November and is over 100 mm per month.
The driest period is winter, in particular February and March with monthly average
rainfall not exceeding 40 mm per month.

Influent data
The flows and pollution loads on the WWTP Porec South have been estimated for the
years 2011 and 2045 taking into consideration the existing resident population, non-
household consumption and the tourist overnights. A slight growth is expected in
flows/loads up to the estimated horizon.
The estimated flows and the loads for the year 2045 are summarized in the following
table:

22
 WWTP Porec South Estimated values

Flows/Loads M.U. Winter Summer

Pollution load PE = 60 g BOD 8.600 48.000
BOD load kg/d 516 2,880
3
Average daily flow m /day 958 7,800
Peak factor = 16/24
m3/hour
Maximum dry weather flow 60 490
Inflow/infiltration m3/day 487 487
Peak factor = 4/24
m3/hour
Maximum inflow/infiltration 122 122
3
Peak daily flow m /day 1.450 8.200
3
Peak hourly flow m /hour 180 610

Table 2: Estimated pollution parameters for the project

For the estimation of the influent flows and pollution loads the following data were
used:
Influent and pollution loads
Tourist Average water consumption
Months Population
Overnights 2009-2011 (m3/month)
Average
2011 Households Non-Households
2009-2011
1 4.590 7.700 14.400 15.600
2 4.590 6.900 13.700 15.000
3 4.590 16.500 12.700 17.400
4 4.590 76.500 15.800 42.900
5 4.590 191.900 21.300 98.100
6 4.590 393.900 25.500 140.600
7 4.590 676.200 33.500 208.700
8 4.590 732.200 37.200 215.600
9 4.590 373.700 35.600 150.200
10 4.590 51.400 16.300 49.100
11 4.590 4.800 13.700 15.800
12 4.590 11.400 11.500 10.200
Estimated growth of tourist overnights from 2011 to 2045 15%
Permanent population for year 2045 5.578

Table 3: Estimated pollution and influent loads for the project

23
1.5 Scope of the Work

In the previous chapters, we have been briefly introduced to the importance of water
conservation and wastewater treatment considering the phenomena of climate change
and increase of urban populations globally. Also, we have been introduced to the basics
of biological wastewater treatment and all the information, which represents a
foundation for the development of this study.
In the scope of the project, pollution loads are calculated for each month according to
Table 3 and ATV specific pollution load per inhabitant (pg. 19, table 1, ATV-DVWK-A
131E manual). However, for the design of the plant, it was considered the month of
August, given that it is a month with the highest pollution loads (worst case scenario to
assure the proper design of the plant). Additionally, the month of January is a period of
highest load with respect to other winter months. With this in mind and given that for
the assumed winter temperature (12°C) the biomass growth rate is much slower, this
month was selected for the simulation of the winter period.
It is also important to note that in the design of the WWTP Porec South, it was taken
into consideration the fact that due to changes in holiday periods and weather
conditions, the number of tourists can vary significantly and hence the flows and loads
in the transition months between low season (winter) and high season (summer) can
substantially deviate from the above mentioned estimated values.
With this in mind, this study is essentially split into the following parts: Chapter 2
which discusses the theory behind the activated sludge process modelling and
simulation, while the Chapter 3 deals with actual implementation of the BioWin
modelling tool for the expected summer and winter loads of the WWTP Porec South,
along with an additional simulation for an “extreme peak inflow” event as a further step
of assuring the behaviour of the plant during unusual weather circumstances and inflow
patterns.
The goal is not only to have a plant designed according to the specifications set out by
the project and the applied regulations with the respect to the set limits (ATV
standards), but also to go “above the needs” and to perform additional simulation(s) that
could give further performance indicators of the plant.

24
CHAPTER 2 - MODELLING OF ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESSES

2.1 Overview

The purpose of Chapter 2 is to demonstrate how the model selection, the data
collection and the WWTP model calibration all relate to the modelling purpose. Note
that there is an essential difference between an activated sludge model and a WWTP
model. A WWTP usually consists of a set of activated sludge tanks, combined with a
sedimentation tank, with a range of electron acceptor conditions occurring in the tanks.
Depending on the concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrate present in the
tanks, aerobic (oxygen present), anoxic (nitrate present, no oxygen) or anaerobic (no
oxygen, no nitrate) tanks can be distinguished. The term WWTP model is used to
indicate the ensemble of activated sludge model, hydraulic model, oxygen transfer
model and sedimentation tank model needed to describe an actual WWTP. The term
activated sludge model is used to indicate a set of differential equations that represent
the biological (and chemical) reactions taking place in one activated sludge tank.
Activated sludge model will thus refer exclusively to white-box models, i.e. models
based on first engineering principles. The hydraulic model describes tank volumes,
hydraulic tank behaviour (e.g. perfectly mixed versus plug flow behaviour, constant
versus variable volume, etc.) and the liquid flow rates in between tanks, such as return
sludge flow rate and internal recycle flow rate. The sedimentation tank models are
available in varying degrees of complexity. Dedicated WWTP simulators allow
construction of WWTP models based on libraries of activated sludge models,
sedimentation tank models, etc. (Gernaey V.K. et al., 2004).
A number of factors are to be considered with regard to activated sludge modelling and
model applications, and a step-wise approach is needed to evolve from the model
purpose definition to the point where a WWTP model is available for simulations. The
following main steps can be distinguished in this process:
 Definition of the WWTP model purpose or the objectives of the model application
(control, design, simulation);

25
  Model selection: choice of the models needed to
describe the different WWTP units to be considered in
the simulation, i.e. selection of the activated sludge
model, the sedimentation model, etc.;
 Hydraulics, i.e. determination of the hydraulic
models for the WWTP or WWTP tanks;
 Wastewater and biomass characterisation,
including biomass sedimentation characteristics;
 Data reconciliation to a steady-state model;
 Calibration of the activated sludge model
parameters;
 Model unfalsification. In this task it is
determined whether or not the model is sufficiently
accurate for its intended purpose. If this is the case, the
model is said to be unfalsified with respect to the
available data. If this is not the case, a number of the
preceding steps needs to be repeated until the model is
unfalsified;
 Scenario evaluations.
Table 4: Overview of activated sludge models

The following paragraph will provide a number of key

references as guidance through some of the
abovementioned steps. The activated sludge models that
are most frequently used today will be summarized.
Available WWTP simulators will be described just
briefly.

2.2 Activated sludge models

The most frequently used activated sludge models will

be considered in an attempt to support the modeller in
the model selection phase.
2.2.1 Activated sludge model development

The focus will be on the recent developments of

activated sludge models, mainly the family of activated
sludge models developed by the International Water
Association (IWA) and the metabolic model developed
at the Delft University of Technology (TUDP model).
Table 4 summarises essential features of these and
several other activated sludge models.
The Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1; Henze et al.,
1987) can be considered as the reference model, since
this model triggered the general acceptance of WWTP

26
modelling, first in the research community and later on also in industry. This evolution
was undoubtedly supported by the availability of more powerful computers. Many of
the basic concepts of ASM1 were adapted from the activated sludge model defined by
Dold et al. (1980).
Even today, the ASM1 model is in many cases still the state of the art for modelling
activated sludge systems. ASM1 has become a reference for many scientific and
practical projects (Roeleveld and van Loosdrecht, 2002), and has been implemented (in
some cases with modifications) in most of the commercial software available for
modelling and simulation of WWTPs for N removal (Copp, 2002).
ASM1 was primarily developed for municipal activated sludge WWTPs to describe the
removal of organic carbon compounds and N, with simultaneous consumption of
oxygen and nitrate as electron acceptors. The model furthermore aims at yielding a good
description of the sludge production. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was adopted as
the measure of the concentration of organic matter. In the model, the wide variety of
organic carbon compounds and nitrogenous compounds are subdivided into a limited
number of fractions based on biodegradability and solubility considerations.

Figure 9: Substrate flows for autotrophic and heterotrophic biomass in ASM1 and ASM3 models

The ASM3 model (Gujer et al. 1999) was also developed for biological N removal
WWTPs, with basically the same goals as ASM1. The ASM3 model is intended to
become the new standard model, correcting for a number of defects that have appeared
during the usage of the ASM1 model (Gujer et al. 1999). The major difference between

27
the ASM1 and ASM3 models is that the latter recognises the importance of storage
polymers in the heterotrophic activated sludge conversions. In the ASM3 model, it is
assumed that all readily biodegradable substrate (SS) is first taken up and stored into an
internal cell component (XSTO) prior to growth (see Figure 9). The heterotrophic
biomass is thus modelled with an internal cell structure, similar to the phosphorus
accumulating organisms (PAOs) in the biological phosphorus removal (Bio-P) models.
The internal component XSTO is subsequently used for biomass growth in the ASM3
model. Biomass growth directly on external substrate as described in ASM1 is not
considered in ASM3. A second difference between ASM1 and ASM3 is that the ASM3
model should be easier to calibrate than the ASM1 model. This is mainly achieved by
converting the circular growth–decay–growth model, often called death–regeneration
concept, into a growth-endogenous respiration model (Figure 9). Whereas in ASM1
effectively all state variables are directly influenced by a change in a parameter value, in
ASM3 the direct influence is considerably lower thus ensuring a better parameter
identifiability. Koch et al. (2000)concluded that ASM1 and ASM3 are both capable of
describing the dynamic behaviour in common municipal WWTPs, whereas ASM3
performs better in situations where the storage of readily biodegradable substrate is
significant (industrial wastewater) or for WWTPs with substantial non-aerated zones.
The ASM3 model can be extended with a Bio-P removal module (Ky et al., 2001;
Rieger et al., 2001).

Figure 10: Substrate flows for storage and growth of PAOs in the ASM2 model

The overview of models including Bio-P will start with the ASM2 model (Henze et al.
1995), which extends the capabilities of ASM1 to the description of Bio-P. Chemical P
removal via precipitation was also included. The ASM2 publication mentions explicitly
that this model allows the description of bio-P processes, but does not yet include all
observed phenomena. For example, the ASM2d model (Henze et al., 1999) builds on
the ASM2 model, adding the denitrifying activity of PAOs which should allow a better
description of the dynamics of phosphate and nitrate. Bio-P modelling in ASM2 is
illustrated in Figure 10: the PAOs are modelled with cell internal structure, where all

28
organic storage products are lumped into one model component (XPHA). PAOs can only
grow on cell internal organic storage material; storage is not depending on the electron
acceptor conditions, but is only possible when fermentation products such as acetate are
available. In practice, it means that storage will usually only be observed in the
anaerobic activated sludge tanks.
The TUDP model (van Veldhuizen et al. 1999; Brdjanovic et al., 2000) combines the
metabolic model for denitrifying and non-denitrifying Bio-P of Murnleitner et al. (1997)
with the ASM1 model (autotrophic and heterotrophic reactions). Contrary to
ASM2/ASM2d, the TUDP model fully considers the metabolism of PAOs, modelling
all organic storage components explicitly (XPHA and XGLY), as shown in Figure 11. The
TUDP model was validated in enriched Bio-P sequencing batch reactor (SBR)
laboratory systems over a range of sludge retention time (SRT) values (Smolders et al.,
1995) for different anaerobic and aerobic phase lengths and for oxygen and nitrate as
electron acceptor (Murnleitner et al., 1997).

Figure 11: Substrate flows for storage and aerobic growth of PAOs in the TUDP model

In some cases, such as high pH (>7.5) and high Ca2+ concentrations, it can be necessary
to add biologically induced P precipitation to the Bio-P model (Maurer et al., 1999;
Maurer and Boller, 1999). Indeed, under certain conditions the Bio-P reactions coincide
with a natural precipitation that can account for an important P removal effect that is not
related to the Bio-P reactions included in the models described thus far. The formation
of these precipitates, mostly consisting of calcium phosphates, is promoted by the high
P concentration and increased ionic strength during the anaerobic P release of the PAOs.

2.2.2 Activated sludge models assumptions and limitations

Influence of environmental effects

Temperature: Kinetic model parameters are temperature dependent, and consequently
one has either to estimate the model parameters when calibrating the model for a
specific temperature, or to develop appropriate temperature correction factors to include

29
the temperature dependency of the reaction kinetics in the simulations. Henze et al.
(1987) provide two sets of typical parameters for 10 and 20 °C, respectively. Later
models, such as ASM2 and the TUDP model, use an Arrhenius type temperature
dependence. Different reactions have different temperature dependencies, where
nitrification is generally most sensitive. Hellinga et al. (1999) provide a detailed
explanation of the influence of temperature on nitrification kinetics. Finally, Henze et
al. (1995) warn that the ASM2 temperature coefficients are only valid between 10 and
25 °C.
pH: In ASM1, it is assumed that the pH is constant and near neutrality. Including
alkalinity as one of the state variables in the model allows detection of possible pH
problems. For some reactions, specific functions can be added to the model to describe
inhibitory pH effects, as illustrated by Helinga et al. (1999) for the nitrification reaction.
Toxic components: Nitrification is especially sensitive to inhibition by toxic
components. In ASM1, the nitrification parameters are assumed to be constant. This
means that any inhibitory effect of the wastewater on the nitrification kinetics is
assumed to be included in the calibrated nitrification parameters. It is thus only possible
to represent an “average inhibitory effect” of the wastewater. Alternatively, the
nitrification rate equation can be extended to represent sudden acute inhibition by
specific chemicals (Nowak et al., 1995). It is then up to the modeller to select the best
inhibition kinetics model for the actual inhibition problem.
Wastewater composition: The models in Table 4 were developed for simulation of
municipal WWTPs. Model modifications are typically needed for WWTP systems
where industrial contributions dominate the wastewater characteristics. Acute
nitrification inhibition by toxic components related to industrial activity is one of the
model modifications that are often necessary. Ky et al. (2001) combined the ASM3
model with the bio-P reactions of the TUDP model. In their modelling study, the
simulation of a SBR treating the wastewater of a cheese industry, Mg2+ Monod
switching functions were added to specific Bio-P model reactions to account for Mg2+
limited kinetics. Coen et al. (1998) proposed a modified ASM1 model extended to three
different soluble biodegradable organic substrates to describe a WWTP in the
pharmaceutical industry.
Biodegradation kinetics
 Cell growth limitations due to low nutrient concentrations (e.g. N and P) are not
considered in ASM1. Later models have included these limitations, e.g. the ASM3
model includes N and alkalinity limitations (Gujer et al., 1999). The Bio-P models
usually include P limitations too.
 Biomass decay in ASM1 is modelled according to the death–regeneration concept
(Dold et al., 1980). In the ASM3 model this was replaced by the endogenous
respiration or maintenance concept (see Table 4). As a result, the conversion
reactions of both autotrophs and heterotrophs are clearly separated in ASM3,
whereas the decay product regeneration cycles of the autotrophs and heterotrophs
are strongly interrelated in ASM1 (see Figure 9). Moreover, the use of the
endogenous respiration concept in the ASM3 model should allow easier
comparisons between the results of kinetic parameters derived from respirometric

30
 batch experiments with activated sludge of the plant to be modelled (Vanrolleghem
et al. 1999) and the activated sludge model used to describe the phenomena in the
full-scale plant. Note that the TUDP model uses the death regeneration concept for
the autotrophic and heterotrophic (non-PAO) reactions, whereas the maintenance
concept is used for the PAOs. Effectively you want to describe maintenance,
viruses, decay, protozoa, rotifers, nematodes, etc., in the model, since all these
processes lead to a decreased sludge production or oxygen consumption in the
absence of external substrate in the full-scale WWTP (van Loosdrecht and Henze,
1999). It has been shown that all these processes can conveniently be lumped in
one activated sludge model reaction.
 The hydrolysis of organic matter and organic nitrogen are coupled and occur
simultaneously with equal rates. In the Bio-P models this was extended to include
also organic phosphate.
 ASM1 cannot deal with elevated nitrite concentrations, i.e. nitrification is modelled
as a one-step process thereby ignoring the possible appearance of nitrite, a
nitrification intermediate, in full-scale WWTPs. Typically, the assumption of one-
step nitrification is acceptable. However, when modelling a WWTP where
considerable nitrite concentrations occur, or where the temperature is above 20°C,
a two-step nitrification model with nitrite as intermediate might be useful.
 Nitrogen gas, a denitrification product, is not included in the ASM1 model. As a
consequence, the model does not allow checking the N balances. Most of the later
models included nitrogen gas as a model component (Henze et al., 1995, 1999;
Gujer et al., 1999; Brdjanovic et al., 2000). Clearly, the modeller can easily add
nitrogen gas to the model as an extra component. The P-balances in the Bio-P
models are always closed.
 In ASM1, the type of electron acceptor present does not affect the biomass decay
rate. In contrast, ASM3 allows differentiation between aerobic and anoxic
heterotrophic biomass, storage product (XSTO) and autotrophic biomass decay rates.
According to the experimental result reported in Siegrist et al. (1999), this
differentiation between aerobic, anoxic, and, if necessary, anaerobic autotrophic
biomass decay rates seems to be justified.
 In ASM1, the type of electron acceptor does not affect the heterotrophic biomass
yield coefficient, whereas the ASM3 model (Gujer et al., 1999) and the model of
Barker and Dold (1997) allow inclusion of different aerobic and anoxic
heterotrophic biomass yield coefficients in the model. It has been theoretically
proven, based on metabolic process energetics, that anoxic yields are consistently
lower than aerobic ones (Orhon et al., 1996). Indeed similar differences between
aerobic and anoxic yield were obtained experimentally with activated sludge
(McClintock et al., 1988; Sperandio et al., 1999). A metabolic model takes this
explicitly into account because a different energetic efficiency for the different
electron acceptors is included.
 In the ASM1 model, hydrolysis reaction rates depend on the electron acceptor
present (aerobic or anoxic conditions). In the ASM3 model, hydrolysis is
independent of the available electron acceptor (Gujer et al., 1999). ASM2

31
 acknowledges that hydrolysis reaction rates may depend on the available electron
acceptor, also under anaerobic conditions (Henze et al., 1995).
 The Bio-P models cannot handle two extreme situations (van Veldhuizen et al.,
1999): (1) full depletion of the organic storage product pool XPHA in the PAOs; (2)
simultaneous presence of volatile fatty acids (= substrate for storage reactions) and
electron acceptors. Model extensions are needed to handle these two situations.
 Storage of substrate by non-PAOs is not accounted for in ASM2/ASM2d and
TUDP.
 The models are not able to describe filamentous biomass growth and sludge
bulking.

2.3 Simulation environments

A WWTP simulation environment can be described as software that allows the modeller
to simulate a WWTP configuration. General-purpose simulation environments can be
distinguished from specific WWTP simulators. General-purpose simulation
environments normally have a high flexibility, but the modeller has to supply the
models that are to be used to model a specific WWTP configuration. The latter task can
be very time consuming. However, it is better to spend time on the model
implementation and debugging, to avoid running lots of simulations with a model that
afterwards turns out to be erroneous for the specific application task. As a consequence,
general-purpose simulation environments require a skilled user that fully understands
the implications of each line of code in the models. A popular example of a general-
purpose simulator environment is MATLAB/Simulink (http://www.mathworks.com).
Specific WWTP simulation environments usually contain an extended library of
predefined process unit models, for example a perfectly mixed ASM1 or ASM2d
bioreactor, and a one-dimensional 10-layer settler model. The process configuration to
be simulated can easily be constructed by connecting process unit blocks. Pop-up
windows allow modifying the model parameters. Examples of specific commercial
WWTP simulator environments are (in alphabetic order): AQUASIM
(http://www.aquasim.eawag.ch), BioWin (http://www.envirosim.com), EFOR
(http://www.dhisoftware.com/efor), GPS-X (http://www.hydromantis.com), SIMBA
(http://www.ifak-system.com), STOAT (http://www.wrcplc.co.uk/software), and WEST
(http://www.hemmis.com).

2.4 Model applications

A model may be applied in the following roles (Russel et al., 2002): (1) a service role,
where the model, when solved, provides the needed numerical values for further
analysis; (2) an advice role, where the model provides insights that help to understand
and solve related sub-problems contributing to the solution of an overall problem; (3) an
analysis role, where simulations with the model indicate how to use models to solve a
specific task. The purpose for WWTP model studies can be (Hulsbeek et al., 2002;

32
Petersen et al., 2002): (1) learning, i.e. use of simulations to increase process
understanding, and to develop people’s conception of the system; (2) design, i.e.
evaluate several design alternatives for new WWTP installations via simulation; (3)
process optimisation and control, i.e. evaluate several scenarios that might lead to
improved operation of existing WWTPs. The latter two are applications of the model in
a service role. An application of the model in an analysis role can for example be a
study where the suitability to describe a particular process is evaluated for several
modelling concepts enclosed in different activated sludge models.

2.4.1 WWTP model simulation for learning

Simulations with WWTP models can be applied in different ways to increase the
process understanding of the user. For the WWTP operator, simulations might for
example be useful to indicate the consequences of process operation modifications on
the activated sludge composition and the WWTP effluent quality. Similarly, simulations
with e.g. the ASM1 benchmark plant (Coop, 2002) for different weather disturbance
scenarios are very informative to get an idea of the behaviour of a WWTP under
variable weather conditions.
From a research perspective, Brdjanovic et al. (2000) used the TUDP model to increase
the understanding of a full-scale Bio-P process. Siegrist et al. (1999) noticed in the
experimental work that the decay rate of autotrophic bacteria is lower under anaerobic
and anoxic conditions, compared to aerobic conditions. Simulations with a WWTP
model incorporating this hypothesis showed that avoiding excess aeration in the
activated sludge tanks, for example via intermittent aeration, not only saves aeration
energy but also improves the nitrification capacity of the plant.

2.4.2 WWTP model simulation for design

During the design phase, process alternatives can be evaluated via simulation. Such a
model study was presented e.g. by Salem et al. (2002), where different alternatives for
the upgrade of a biological N removal plant were evaluated with focus on appropriate
treatment of sludge reject water. The WWTP model simulations provided the
knowledge basis that was needed to decide on full-scale implementation of one of the
proposed alternatives. In this context, modelling can substantially reduce the scale-up
time, because different options can be evaluated before a pilot plant is built. The model
thus contributes significantly in bridging the gap between lab and full-scale application
(Hellinga et al, 1999). A WWTP model thus transforms data obtained from lab scale
experiments into quantitative knowledge, which helps in decision-making processes.
Yuan et al. (1998) evaluated a sludge storage concept via ASM1 simulations, based on
the reduced decay of autotrophic bacteria under anaerobic conditions. The concept
provides spare nitrification capacity for nitrogen shock load situations by storing the
waste activated sludge temporarily in an anaerobic tank with a retention time of a few
days, whereas the SRT in the activated sludge plant is reduced considerably. The
concept thus results in a WWTP with less sludge but a similar nitrification capacity
compared to traditional reactor design, and was successfully evaluated in pilot plant

33
studies (Yuan et al., 2000). Savings on reactor volume were evaluated to be around
20%, but increased sludge production could be a problem with respect to operational
costs.

2.4.3 WWTP model simulation for process optimization

Process optimization can be used in different contexts. Off-line process optimisation

refers to applications where off-line simulations with the calibrated model are used to
determine how to optimally run the process, whereas the result is later implemented and
tested on the full-scale plant. In on-line process optimization, simulations with the
calibrated model are applied in an on-line optimization scheme.
Off-line process optimization is often needed because new stricter demands are imposed
to existing WWTPs, or considerable changes in the plant load have occurred, or
deficiencies have appeared during WWTP operation such that the initially required
effluent quality cannot any longer be obtained. In this context, simulations are often
used to evaluate whether the pollutant removal efficiencies can be improved within the
existing plant lay-out, e.g. via improved process control. The ASM1- based benchmark
WWTP (Copp, 2002) was specifically developed for simulation-based objective
evaluation of different control strategies on a N removal WWTP, and includes several
criteria to evaluate the WWTP performance.
Scenario evaluations with ASM1/ASM3 usually aim at upgrading a WWTP for
biological N removal (Coen et al., 1996), evaluating the possibilities for improved
biological N removal within an existing WWTP configuration (Ladiges et al., 1999), or
predicting the effect of a change in load on the WWTP performance. During scenario
evaluations with Bio-P models, evaluation of different process alternatives often results
in a trade-off between Bio-P capacity and nitrification, where increased DO
concentrations will promote nitrification but negatively influence the Bio-P process due
to increased aerobic decay of PAO storage products (Cinar et al., 1998). Gernaey et al.
(2002) illustrate the implementation of chemical P precipitation on an existing N
removal WWTP.

34
CHAPTER 3 - APPLICATION OF THE BIOWIN
MODELLING TOOL

3.1 About BioWin 5.0

Biowin is a computer simulation package that is able to dynamically simulate the

wastewater treatment process. It combines various published models, such as the
activated sludge models, anaerobic digestion model, and solids settling model, into a
single simulation platform (EnviroSim Associates Ltd). It is a flexible platform that
allows investigations into changes in configurations or operations without having to
alter conditions in the actual treatment plant.
The user can define and analyse behaviour of complex treatment plant configurations
with single or multiple wastewater inputs. An example of a plant configuration window
is shown (where in the background is the graphical representation of WWTP Porec
South):

Figure 12: Example of a plant configuration in BioWin (WWTP Porec South)

Most types of wastewater treatment systems can be configured in BioWin using the
many process modules. These include:
 A range of activated sludge bioreactor modules – suspended growth reactors
(diffused air or surface aeration), various SBRs, media reactors for IFAS and
MBBR systems, variable volume reactors;
 Anaerobic and aerobic digesters;
 Various settling tank modules – primary, ideal and 1-D model settlers;

35
  Different input elements – wastewater influent (COD- or BOD-based), user-
defined (state variable concentrations), metal addition for chemical phosphorus
precipitation (ferric or alum), methanol for denitrification;
 Other process modules – holding tanks, equalization tanks, dewatering units,
flow splitters and combiners.
A crucial component of BioWin is the biological process model. The BioWin model is
unique in that it merges both activated sludge and anaerobic biological processes.
Additionally, the model integrates pH and chemical phosphorus precipitation processes.
The BioWin simulator suite presently includes two modules:
 A steady state module for analysing systems based on constant influent loading
and/or flow weighted averages of time-varying inputs. This unit is also very
useful for mass balancing over complex plant configurations.
 An interactive dynamic simulator where the user can operate and manipulate the
treatment system "on the fly". This module is ideal for training and for analysing
system response when subjected to time-varying inputs or changes in operating
strategy.
BioWin is a very powerful analysis tool. The program has been evaluated against an
extensive data set and has been demonstrated to provide accurate simulation results for
a range of systems. Nevertheless, it is still merely a tool.
BioWin incorporates a number of models. These necessarily are a simplification of
reality and have limited ranges of applicability. It is the responsibility of the user to
carefully assess results generated by the program.

3.2 Implemented Biological/Chemical models

BioWin uses a general Activated Sludge/Anaerobic Digestion (ASDM) model which is

referred to as the BioWin ASDM. The BioWin ASDM has more than fifty state
variables and over eighty process expressions. These expressions are used to describe
the biological processes typically occurring in wastewater treatment plants. This
complete model approach frees the user from having to map one model’s output to
another model’s input which significantly reduces the complexity of building full plant
models, particularly those incorporating many different process units.
In the following chapter 3.2.1 an overview of the parameters included in the model
(kinetic, stoichiometric and chemical constants) with a brief description of the model
process.
In the performed simulations, only the default BioWin ASDM was used.

36
 3.2.1 Activated sludge processes

The process employed in the simulation were:

a. Growth and Decay of Ordinary Heterotrophic Organisms;
b. Hydrolysis, Adsorption, Ammonification and Assimilative denitrification;
c. Growth and Decay of Ammonia Oxidizing Biomass;
d. Growth and Decay of Nitrite Oxidizing Biomass;
e. Growth and Decay of Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms.
A brief description of each is provided in the following text.

(a) Growth and Decay of Ordinary Heterotrophic Organisms (OHO)

Number of sub-processes: 24
Engineering objective: BOD removal, denitrification
Implementation: Always active in the BioWin model
Module description:
This group of processes describes the growth and decay of ordinary heterotrophic
organisms under all conditions. The activated sludge model allows for direct ordinary
heterotrophic aerobic growth on acetate, propionate, readily biodegradable complex
substrate and methanol.
The base rate expression for each of the growth processes is the product of a maximum
specific growth rate, the heterotrophic biomass concentration and a Monod expression
for the substrates. This base rate is modified to account for environmental conditions
(dissolved oxygen, nitrate and nitrite), nutrient limitations (ammonia, phosphate, other
cations and anions) and pH inhibition. BioWin uses ammonia as a nitrogen source for
cell synthesis with all of the substrates under aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions.
At low ammonia concentrations BioWin allows for assimilative ammonia production
from either nitrate or nitrite in order to satisfy synthesis demands.
Although the maximum specific growth rate under aerobic and anoxic conditions is the
same, under anoxic conditions the base rate is also multiplied by an anoxic growth
factor. This allows for anoxic growth at a different rate or for only a fraction of the
OHOs being able to perform any kind of denitrification (or both of these). Of the OHOs
that can perform denitrification, a fraction can use either nitrate or nitrite (with nitrogen
gas as an end product), and the remainder of the denitrifying OHOs can only use nitrate
(with nitrite as an end product).
There are two pathways for ordinary heterotrophic growth through fermentation of
readily biodegradable (complex) substrate to acetate, propionate, carbon dioxide and
hydrogen. The dominant pathway is governed by the dissolved hydrogen concentration.
In activated sludge vessels there is also an anaerobic growth factor applied to all growth
through fermentation.

37
There are decay processes appropriate for each environment (aerobic, anoxic and
anaerobic).

(b) Hydrolysis, Adsorption, Ammonification and Assimilative denitrification

Number of sub-processes: 10
Engineering objective: Conversion of organic, nitrogen and phosphorous fractions
Implementation: Always active in the BioWin model
Module description:
These processes are discussed here separately for each different organism groupings
because they involve more than one organism type (in general both the ordinary
heterotrophic organisms and the phosphate accumulating organisms).
Hydrolysis of biodegradable particulate organic substrate to readily biodegradable
complex substrate: The base rate is the product of the hydrolysis rate constant, the sum
of the ordinary heterotrophs and the phosphate accumulating organisms, and a Monod
expression for the ratio of particulate substrate to organism COD. There is an efficiency
factor applied for anoxic conditions and another for anaerobic conditions.
Hydrolysis of biodegradable particulate organic nitrogen and phosphorus: The
hydrolysis of biodegradable particulate nitrogen (phosphorus) is assumed to proceed at
the same rate as the biodegradable particulate organics but is adjusted by the ratio of
biodegradable particulate organic nitrogen (phosphorus) to biodegradable particulate
organic.
Adsorption or flocculation of colloidal organic material to particulate organic
material (occurring spontaneously as opposed to chemically facilitated flocculation
with metal (ferric or alum) addition: The rate is the product of the adsorption rate
constant, the colloidal substrate concentration and the sum of the ordinary heterotrophs
and the phosphate accumulating organism concentrations. The rate is decreased as the
ratio of particulate substrate to organism COD approaches the maximum adsorption
ratio constant.
Ammonification of soluble organic nitrogen to ammonia: The rate is the product of
the ammonification rate constant, the soluble organic nitrogen concentration and the
sum of the ordinary heterotrophic and the phosphate accumulating organisms
concentrations.
Assimilative denitrification of nitrate or nitrite to ammonia for synthesis: BioWin
allows for the production of ammonia for synthesis by OHOs, PAOs and methylotrophs
under low ammonia conditions (as ammonia becomes limiting for growth). The
assimilative process will use nitrite if it is available otherwise it will use nitrate. The
base rate is the product of the assimilation rate constant and the organism COD. This
base rate is modified to account for environmental conditions (off with ammonia, and
selecting between nitrate and nitrite).
Slow decay of endogenous products to particulate substrate: BioWin allows for the
conversion of endogenous decay products to particulate substrate. The rate is the
product of the specified rate constant and the endogenous products concentration.

38
(c) Growth and Decay of Ammonia Oxidizing Biomass (AOB)
Number of sub-processes: 4
Engineering objective: Nitrification
Implementation: Always active in the BioWin model
Module description:
This biomass grows by oxidizing ammonia to nitrite and using the energy to synthesize
organic material from inorganic carbon (fixing CO2). Nitrogen source for cell synthesis
is ammonia.
The base rate expression for the growth process is the product of the maximum specific
growth rate, the ammonia oxidizing biomass concentration and a Monod expression for
ammonia. This base rate is modified to account for environmental conditions (off at low
dissolved oxygen), nutrient limitations (phosphate, inorganic carbon, other cations and
anions) and pH inhibition.
The decay rate varies between an aerobic value and an anoxic/anaerobic value
depending on the dissolved oxygen concentration.

(d) Growth and Decay of Nitrite Oxidizing Biomass (NOB)

Number of sub-processes: 2
Engineering objective: Conversion of organic, nitrogen and phosphorous fractions
Implementation: Always active in the BioWin model
Module description:
This biomass grows by oxidizing nitrite to nitrate and using the energy to synthesize
organic material from inorganic carbon (fixing CO2). Nitrogen source for cell synthesis
is ammonia.
The base rate expression for the growth process is the product of the maximum specific
growth rate, the nitrite oxidizing biomass concentration and a Monod expression for
nitrite. This base rate is modified to account for environmental conditions (off at low
dissolved oxygen and inhibited by ammonia), nutrient limitations (ammonia, phosphate,
inorganic carbon, other cations and anions) and pH inhibition.
The decay rate varies between an aerobic value and an anoxic/anaerobic value
depending on the dissolved oxygen concentration.

(e) Growth and Decay of Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms (PAOs)

Number of sub-processes: 17
Engineering objective: Biological phosphorous removal
Implementation: Always active in the BioWin model
Module description:

39
This group of processes describes the growth and decay of polyphosphate accumulating
organisms (PAOs) under all conditions. This includes descriptions of aerobic and anoxic
growth, volatile fatty acid (VFA) sequestration and polyphosphate lysis.
There are two maximum specific growth rates for PAOs under aerobic conditions. The
lower growth rate constant is used under P limited conditions and has a different
stoichiometry (no polyphosphate storage). There are also two anoxic growth processes,
one uses nitrate and the other nitrite. Growth processes under phosphate rich conditions
result in uptake of phosphate, as well as balancing calcium ions magnesium ions and
other cations. A lack of these ions will stop the growth processes by appropriate Monod
switches. For all of these growth processes, the base growth rate is the product of the
maximum specific rate constant, the PAO concentration and a Monod switch on the
ratio PHA to PAO. This base rate is modified to account for environmental conditions
(dissolved oxygen, nitrate and nitrite), nutrient limitations (ammonia, anions, cations,
for polyphosphate storage magnesium, and calcium are also required) and pH inhibition.
BioWin uses ammonia as a nitrogen source for cell synthesis under aerobic, anoxic and
anaerobic conditions. At low ammonia concentrations BioWin allows for assimilative
ammonia production from either nitrate or nitrite in order to satisfy synthesis demands.
Although the maximum specific growth rate under aerobic and anoxic conditions is the
same, under anoxic conditions the base rate is also multiplied by an anoxic growth
factor. This allows for anoxic growth at a different rate or for only a fraction of the
PAOs being able to perform any kind of denitrification (or both of these). Of the PAOs
that can perform denitrification, a fraction can use either nitrate or nitrite (with nitrogen
gas as an end product), and the remainder of the denitrifying PAOs can only use nitrate
(with nitrite as an end product).
The PAOs use polyphosphate as an energy source to sequester VFAs under anaerobic
conditions. The sequestered VFAs are stored internally as polyhydroxy alkanoates
(PHA). In the BioWin model the PAOs can use both acetate and propionate for this
process. The base sequestration rate is the product of the sequestration rate constant, the
PAO concentration and a Monod switch on the appropriate substrate (acetate or
propionate). The rate is also dependent on the availability of the stored polyphosphate
(poly-P).
There are two decay processes (aerobic/anoxic and anaerobic). Associated with each
decay process is a lysis process for PHA, low and high molecular weight
polyphosphate. The lysis rates are directly proportional to the decay rate itself.
There is a polyphosphate cleavage process for anaerobic maintenance that releases
phosphate if no oxygen is present (default off).
There is also an aerobic/anoxic maintenance process that releases organism COD as
well as synthesis nitrogen and phosphorus but no polyphosphate or PHA (default off).

40
 3.2.2 Other important physical phenomena implemented

pH
It has been recognized from the early stages of wastewater process modelling that pH is
an important factor in simulating the performance of biological wastewater treatment
processes.
The pH impacts the species distribution of the weak acid systems (carbonate, ammonia,
phosphate, acetate, propionate, etc.) present in the process. This in turn dictates the rate
of many of the biological and physico-chemical phenomena occurring in these systems.
For example, biological activity, that can be severely limited outside an optimal pH
range. It is difficult to model pH because the underlying components and reactions are
so fast and complex.
BioWin uses a mixed kinetic/equilibrium based approach to minimize the negative
impact on simulations speed. This approach is applicable across a wide range of
biological treatment process models (i.e. activated sludge and anaerobic digestion, etc.).
Alkalinity
The model determines alkalinity by noting that at the H2CO3 equivalence point [H+] =
[HCO3- ]. This additional equation can then be used to solve the carbonate equilibrium
explicitly to determine the [HCO3- ] concentration at the equivalence point (and
consequently the pH).
Gas Transfer and Aeration Models
There are seven gas-liquid mass transfer processes implemented in BioWin to allow
interphase transfer of oxygen, carbon-dioxide, methane, nitrogen, ammonia, hydrogen
and nitrous oxide.
The main parameters related to mass transfer are the Liquid phase mass transfer and the
Henry’s law constants coefficient for the above mentioned compounds. Other important
parameters are the ones for aeration (for example, % in the off-gas of the compounds)
and for diffuser system.
Supply of oxygen constitutes a major operating cost for biological wastewater treatment
systems. Emphasis on energy conservation has highlighted the need to develop effective
methods for design and operation of aeration systems.
Oxygen demand in activated sludge reactors varies with time, necessitating a varying
oxygen supply rate to maintain the desired dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration.
In diffused air systems bubbles are distributed from diffusers at the base of the reactor.
Mass transfer occurs between the rising bubbles and the mixed liquor. The transfer of
oxygen from the gas to the liquid is required to supply the oxygen requirements for the
biological process. A number of equipment and operational parameters interact to
influence the efficiency and rate of transfer of oxygen; inter alia, diffuser pore size and
density, and air flow rate. These parameters determine factors such as bubble size, the
rate of bubble rise, the bubble residence time in the reactor, the fractional gas hold-up,
the interfacial surface area available for mass transfer, the change in oxygen partial
pressure in the rising bubbles and the degree of turbulence. Conditions in the mixed
liquor also impact on the transfer; for example, temperature, ionic strength, presence of

41
surface-active compounds, and solids concentration. Quantifying the impact of all these
factors on the overall mass transfer behaviour is very difficult.

3.3 Model simulation for WWTP Porec South

3.3.1 Project design parameters

Design flows and loads

As it was already mentioned, the modelling simulation has been applied to WWTP
Porec South for summer and winter conditions.
The plant will receive wastewater originating from different locations. Both municipal
and industrial wastewaters (suitable for biological treatment) will be delivered to the
plant by various pumping stations and networks.
The sewage collection network is a separate system except from a small part of the old
city of Porec. Certain number of connections of roofs drains and the drainage of storm
water from fixed surfaces are existing and this results in some stormwater inflow into
the drainage system.
The flows and pollution loads on WWTP Porec South have been estimated for the years
2011 and 2045 taking into consideration the existing resident population, non-household
consumption and the tourist overnights.
Hydraulic load
Design flow values of influent wastewater are summarized in Table 5. The values refer
to typical conditions considering both summer and winter seasons.

WWTP Porec South

Parameter M.U.
Winter Summer

Average daily flow m³/day 958 7.800

Maximum dry weather flow
m³/h 60 490
Peak factor 16/24
Infiltration m³/day 487 487
Infiltration
m³/h 122 122
Peak factor 4/24
Peak daily flow m³/day 1.450 8.200
Peak hourly flow m³/h 180 610

Table 5: Typical flow values of influent wastewater for WWTP Porec South

42
Pollution load
Design daily loads values are derived from ATV-DVWK-A 131E (pg. 19, ATV-
DVWK-A 131E manual), and are shown in Table 6. The considered values for the
influent wastewater are summarized in Table 7.

Parameter Raw wastewater

BOD5 60
COD 120
SS 70
TKN 11
P 1,8

Table 6: Inhabitant-specific loads in g/(I·d)

WWTP Porec South

Parameter M.U.
Winter Summer

Capacity PE 8600 48000

BOD5 1 kg/day 516 2880

COD kg/day 1032 5760

TSS kg/day 602 3360

VSS/TSS % 70 70

N-NTK kg/day 94,6 528,0

Pt kg/day 15 86

Table 7: Design daily loads of influent wastewater for WWTP Porec South

The results obtained in the following simulation are strictly dependent on the
characteristics of the influent, for example the fraction of volatile suspended solids over
the total suspended solids in the influent that affects the amount of volatile matter in the
wasted sludge.
Wastewater design temperature
Design wastewater temperature has been considered equal to 12°C for winter conditions
and 20°C for summer ones.

1 The Inlet BOD5 is an important parameter for ATV that will be used later in the calculations at pg. 56

43
Effluent quality requirement and guarantees
Given the sensitivity of the recipient, effluent limits are aligned with the requirements
for discharge from the treatment of urban wastewater into sensitive areas which are
subject to eutrophication, as defined in Annex IIA of the Directive of the European
Council 91/271/EEC concerning urban wastewater purification and the amendment
98/15/EEC for WWTP of a capacity of 10.000 – 100.000 PE.
The effluent requirements set out by the Republic of Croatia are defined by the
ordinance on the limitation of emissions of wastewater (Official Gazette 80/13). The
limit values taken into account for the discharge of water from the plant into the
Adriatic sea are shown in Table 8.

Parameter Limit value

Suspended Solids < 5 mg/l

BOD5 (20°C) < 10 mgO2/l
CODCr < 125 mgO2/l
Total Phosphorus < 2 mgP/l
Total Nitrogen * (organic N + NH4-N + NO2-N + NO3-N) < 15 mgN/l
Turbidity < 1 NTU
Coliforms < 2.000 CFU/100 ml
Coliforms of faecal origin < 500 CFU/100 ml
Streptococcus of faecal origin < 200 CFU/100 ml
Escherichia Coli < 10 CFU/100 ml
Intestinal enterococci < 200 CFU/100 ml
pH 6-9
* Limit value for the total nitrogen is applied when the wastewater temperature at the effluent of the
aeration tank is equal or greater than 12°C .

Table 8: Limit values considered for water discharge from the WWTP Porec South

3.3.2 Plant configuration

In the modelling of WWTP Porec South, the whole mechanical pretreatment section of
the plant (fine screen, aerated grit-grease removal and microscreen) is represented as a
single unit, whose output is grit and screened material.
After the pretreatment section, the plant is designed with four identical biological
treatment lines in order to guarantee a high flexibility in the operation according to the
variable influent flowrate and load (seasonal variations).
Each biological line is designed in three different zones (environments) where different
processes happen: an anaerobic zone, and anoxic zone, an aerated zone (with a final

44
volume that can be switched on and off to guarantee a complete
nitrification/denitrification, according to process needs). To reproduce the real
behaviour of the plant, the aerated zone has been represented with two different
reactors: one aerated and one switch zone (aerobic/anoxic) that can be dynamically
controlled in order to mimic optimized SUEZ’s aeration system (Greenbass™2).

Figure 13: Simplified scheme of WWTP Porec South biological section

Three recirculation flows have been implemented, according to the WWTP design: from
anoxic volume to anaerobic volume, from aerobic volume to anoxic volume and from
membrane trains to aerobic volume.
After the biological section, there is the membrane compartment for solid-liquid
separation. This section is foreseen with three treatment lines. However, when
modelling the WWTP, just one reactor is used to represent the behaviour of the process
because the simulation does not cover the membrane train operational modes.
As shown below, the MLSS form dewatering is also taken into account.
Figure 12 shows the BioWin simulator applied to WWTP Porec South.
Inlet Sidestream Mixer20

Anaerobic_1 Ox_1.1 Ox_1.2

General Mixer22
Anox_1
General Mixer28 Membrane Tank Effluent

Anaerobic_2 Anox_2 Ox_2.1 Ox_2.2

grit and screened material

Anaerobic_3 Anox_3 Ox_3.1 Ox_3.2

Anaerobic_4 Anox_4
Ox_4.1 Ox_4.2

Sludge

Figure 14: BioWin main simulator window for WWTP Porec South (summer period)

2https://www.suezwaterhandbook.com/degremont-R-technologies/wastewater-treatment/biological-
processes/regulation-of-sequenced-aeration-for-activated-sludge-Greenbass

45
To simulate the plant in the winter period, due to the lower load and flowrate, only two
of the four lines are considered in operation (see Figure 13 below).

in Sidestream Mixer20

Anaerobic_1 Ox_1.1 Ox_1.2

General Mixer22
Anox_1
General Mixer28 Membrane Tank out

Anaerobic_2 Anox_2 Ox_2.1 Ox_2.2

grit and screened material

Sludge

Figure 15: BioWin main simulator window for WWTP Porec South (winter period)

3.4 Performed simulations and results

Two simulations are carried out:

 Dynamic simulation with variable inflow, summer conditions;
 Dynamic simulation with variable inflow, winter conditions.
The objective of a dynamic simulation with variable inflow is to mimic the behaviour
of the system in real conditions, thus meaning that the inputs of the system are time-
varying, as in real operation. This type of simulation really allows to check and verify
the design of the WWTP and its performance.
The dynamic simulation is carried out with a variable inflow, daily trend of the flow is
presented in Figure 16. It is used the same distribution of the flow for summer and
winter conditions, supposing that the pattern of water consumption is constant during
the year.
The average and the peak values are the ones required by the project while assumed
distribution is based on SUEZ’s experience and know-how 3.
Two peaks of three and four hours are considered.

3 http://www.youbuyfrance.com/medias/press/degremont_1_4_2013_19_43.pdf

46
 1,8

1,6

1,4

1,2

0,8

0,6

0,4

0,2

0
0 4 8 12 16 20 24

Figure 16: Pattern of flow distribution employed for winter and summer simulations, only the
applied coefficients – that were not modified in the three simulations - are reported (and not the
flows)

3.4.1 Input data

Starting from the influent values as estimated by the project, a list of chemical
parameters has been defined as input of the BioWin model.
The characterization of the COD, Nitrogen, suspended solid and phosphorous
components, that is also necessary as in input for BioWin model, is detailed according
to the typical fractionation of municipal wastewaters.

WWTP Porec South

Parameter M.U.
Winter Summer

Capacity PE 8600 48000

BOD5 kg/day 516 2880

COD kg/day 1032 5.760

TSS kg/day 602 3360

VSS/TSS % 70 70

N-NTK kg/day 94,6 528,0

Pt kg/day 15 86

Table 9: Influent characterization - Input values for BioWin simulation for summer and winter
period

47
Other input data that are necessary to set the model are the volume of the tanks as
detailed below in Table 10.
Please note that the considered tank volumes in BioWin simulations are conservative
because they are calculated with the minimum water height.

Biological treatment step Volume per tank Total volume

Anaerobic 200 m3 800 m3

Anoxic 175 m3 700 m3

Aerobic 360 m3 1440 m3

Aerated membrane 75 m3 225 m3

Table 10: Summary of the biological tank volumes for WWTP Porec South

The results obtained by the simulation of the plant of both summer and winter period
are shown in the following text.

3.4.2 Dynamic simulation, summer (variable inflow)

For the summer period, the equilibrium sludge retention time is 6.48 days. The obtained
value is compliant with ATV-DVWK-A 131E, and the effluent quality respects the
project requirements.
It should be noted that all the values provided in the following paragraphs are expected
values, while guaranteed values are higher and equal to the one presented in Table 8.
As to say, COD concentration < 125 mgO2/L and TN concentration < 15 mgN/L.
Expected TN outlet value, presented in Figure 17 is less than 15 mgN/l according to the
limit and a complete nitrification is achieved (N-NH4 and N-NO2 below 1 mgN/l); the
Figure 17 also shows the guaranteed TN value (orange line).
The annual average of the samples for each parameter shall conform to the relevant
parametric values, according to the Directive 91/271/EEC.
Aeration system is controlled and optimized in order to achieve complete nitrification.
Controls implemented in BioWin mimic the behaviour of SUEZ’s patented
Greenbass™ that adjusts the air supply to completely oxidize inflow ammonium to the
aerated tank.
The equilibrium concentrations of pollutants in the effluent that are shown in Figure 17
(and the following for winter simulations) are a consequence of the implemented
controller that allows for keeping outlet concentrations constant.

48
 Figure 17: Effluent Nitrogen fractions in summer

The concentration in the membrane tanks is around 10 gTSS/L with a volatile fraction
close to 60%.
The production of excess sludge is estimated to be around 2440 kgTSS/d4 from the
sludge line to the centrifuge that were assumed with a solid retention efficiency of the
95%5, corresponding to a production of sludge to disposal of about 2320 kgTSS/d (see
Figure 19). Please note that sludge dewaterability depends on the ratio of VSS over TSS
headed to the centrifuge.

4 The results from the dynamic simulation are, by definition, not constant in time. Therefore a slight variation from
values is a part of the intrinsic nature of the simulation.
5 The considered efficiency is conservative because this equipment, already installed in many WWTPs can achieve

higher performances

49
 T=20°C
2.800

2.700

2.600

2.500

2.400

2.300

2.200

2.100

2.000
02-08 04-08 06-08 08-08 10-08 12-08 14-08 16-08 18-08 20-08

Dewatering unit Total suspended solids (U) Average dewatered sludge

Figure 18: Total excess sludge production from dewatering in summer

The graph in Figure 18 reports the weekly average summer sludge production.
However, actual operation of the centrifuges will be for six days a week and ten hours
per day. The realistic pattern of centrifuge duty (and therefore sludge production to
disposal) is given in Figure 19.

Figure 19: Weekly operation of the centrifuge, where the 1 represent an hour of duty of the
equipment and the 0 an hour of standby

A production of grit and screened material is also been simulated, resulting in about
660 kg/d on average the value is reported in the following Figure 20.

50
 T=20°C
1.000
950
900
850
800
750
700
650
600
550

02-08 04-08 06-08 08-08 10-08 12-08 14-08 16-08 18-08 20-08

Total suspended solids Mass rate from pre-treatment

Average solids from pretreatment production

Figure 20: Total waste material produced from pretreatment in summer

In normal operation membrane tanks are working with TSS concentrations of 10 g/L.
This concentration allows the correct functioning of the plant without any particular
membrane cleaning needs, since the biomass growth is well controlled and membrane
fibres are not overstressed. During periods of peak conditions, the concentration in a
membrane tank can be increased up to 12 g/L (for a short period). By observing the
following Figure 21, we can see that even in the peak period (month August) the
average TSS concentration in the MBR tanks is just slightly larger than 10 g/L.
Therefore the design of the plant is conservative, there is no additional clogging (with
the potential need of additional membrane cleaning).
According to the project, the membranes are to be cleaned for a period of 1 hour per
week. This short timeframe does not affect the model simulation especially given that
the flow of wastewater coming from one of the lines under cleaning regime is
distributed towards the lines in operation, therefore the total mass balance remains
equal.

51
 T=20°C
WWTP POREC JUG

10.500
10.176,134 10.172,096 10.173,202

10.000

9.500

9.000
8.467,163 8.464,491 8.465,408
8.500

8.000
CONC. (mgTSS/L)

7.500

7.000

6.500

6.000
5.618,89 5.612,031 5.612,584

5.500

5.000

4.500

4.000

3.500
2.939,154 2.935,66 2.935,871
3.000

2.500
02/08 04/08 06/08 08/08 10/08 12/08 14/08 16/08 18/08 20/08 22/08

Anaerobic TSS Anoxic TSS Aerated TSS

MBR TSS Anaerobic TSS (flow weighted) Anoxic TSS (flow weighted)
Aerated TSS (flow weighted) MBR TSS (flow weighted)

Figure 21: Biomass concentrations

3.4.3 Dynamic simulation, winter (variable inflow)

For the winter period design, the resulting sludge retention time is of 20.39 days. The
obtained value is compliant with ATV-DVWK-A 131E, and the effluent quality
respects the project requirements.
Due to slower biological reactions in winter period, expected TN outlet is close to 14
mgN/L according to the limit and complete nitrification is achieved (N-NH4 and N-NO2
below 1 mgN/L). The limit value for the total nitrogen is applied when the wastewater
temperature at the effluent of the aeration tank is equal or greater than 12°C.
Results are presented in the following Figure 22 that also shows the guaranteed TN
value (orange line).

52
 Figure 22: Effluent nitrogen fractions in winter

The concentration in the membrane tank is around 10 gTSS/L with a volatile fraction
close to 60%. The production of excess sludge is estimated to be around 420 kgTSS/d
on average from the sludge line to the centrifuge that were assumed with a solid
retention efficiency of the 95%, corresponding to a production of sludge to disposal of
about 400 kgTSS/d (see Figure 23).
Also in winter the same considerations on the pattern of centrifuges duty can be done.
T=12°C
500

480

460

440

420

400

380

360

340

320

300
01-01 03-01 05-01 07-01 09-01 11-01 13-01 15-01 17-01 19-01

Dewatering unit Total suspended solids (U) Average sludge production

Figure 23: Total excess sludge production from dewatering in winter

A production of grit and screened material is also been simulated, resulting in about 60
kg TSS/d, as reported in the following Figure 24.

53
 T=12°C
100

80

60

40

20

0
01-01 03-01 05-01 07-01 09-01 11-01 13-01 15-01 17-01 19-01

Solids from pre-treatment Total suspended solids Mass rate

Average solids production from pre-treatment

Figure 24: Total waste material produced from pretreatment in winter

3.4.4 Yearly average SRT of the WWTP

With the performed simulations, taking into account the global SRT of the plant (also
therefore considering anaerobic tank, membrane volumes and recirculation channels),
the weighted annual average sludge retention time is higher than 17 days, and it is 22.63
days. The calculation takes into account a summer period of 122 days at 8.32 days and
the rest of the year at 29.81 days. The performed simulation is therefore compliant with
project requirements of a global SRT of the WWTP higher than 17 days. Volumes and
concentrations taken into account are shown in Table 11.

54
 Parameter Winter Summer M.U.

Volume anaerobic 200 m3

Anaerobic concentration 4 g/l
Volume anoxic 175 m3
Anoxic concentration 6 g/l
Aerated volume 360 m3
Aerated concentration 8 g/l
Sludge Production 400 2320 kg/day
Biological lines in operation 2 4
Membrane concentration 10 g/l
Operating membrane volume 50 m3
MBR tank volume 75 m3
Biomass volume 25 m3
MBR line in operation 1 3
Total 25 75 m3
Volume aeration outlet common channel 258 m3
Volume sludge recirculation channel 19 m3
Volume tube + pit recirculation 46 m3
SRT (aerated) 20,39 6,48 days
Total SRT WWTP 29,81 8,32 days
Duration 243 122 days
Annual average 22,63 days

Table 11: Calculations to determine the yearly average SRT

3.5 Comparison with ATV-DVWK rules and standards

What is the ATV standard?

Since no European-wide design standards have been drafted so far (Benedetti L., 2006)
for wastewater treatment plant design, most of the Member States have their own
standards or guidelines providing advice for good design practice, but they are usually
just suggesting broad ranges of design parameters (e.g. ANPA, 2001). However, one of
the most adopted guideline all over Europe is the German “Standard ATV-DVWK-A
131E, Dimensioning of Single-Stage Activated Sludge Plants” (ATV, 2000).
The standard ATV-DVWK-A-131E and its guidelines along with the design approach
of Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse (Metcalf & Eddy, 2002) are widely
used for the design of wastewater treatment plants. These approaches are both based on
more or less simplified steady-state assumptions and have been proven in practice since
decades. ATV-A-131 is tailored to the boundary conditions of temperate climates in
Europe, whereas the Metcalf & Eddy approach is widely used especially in Anglo-
American and Asian regions. The main design parameters of these guidelines are the
solids retention time (SRT), the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration
and the related excess sludge production of the activated sludge system. All three

55
parameters are connected to each other, basically as a result of the incoming load
(characteristics) and the growth rate of the heterotrophic and autotrophic
microorganisms under the present operational conditions.
Scope
The standard applies for wastewater which essentially originates from households or
from plants which serve commercial or agricultural purposes, insofar as the harmfulness
of this wastewater can be reduced by means of biological processes with the same
success as with wastewater from households.
In accordance with the project requirements, all process calculations were to be
performed according to the ATV-DVWK-A 131E standard. Since for this case study it
was opted the use of BioWin in order to estimate the output data, in the following sub-
chapter a comparison between the simulated results and ATV-DVWK-A 131E standard
is presented.

3.5.1 Required Sludge Age - winter

When referring to the required aerated sludge age (SRT or 𝑡𝑆𝑆, ), the biological volumes
taken into account are the aerobic and anoxic. According to the scope of the project, the
yearly average SRT of the WWTP and the aerated sludge age have two different
values.
The required sludge age for ATV standards can be derived from the following Table 12
(pg. 21, ATV-DVWK-A 131E manual). The design temperature was considered of
12°C.
To read the table, the row and the column of Porec should be determined. The row, in
case of WWTP Porec South is the one with Nitrogen Removal (paragraph 5.2.1.3 of the
ATV-DVWK-A 131E: Plants with Nitrification and Denitrification). The ratio between
VD and VAT is determined as follows:

𝑉𝐷 3
⁄𝑉 = 200 𝑚 ⁄(200 𝑚3 + 360 𝑚3 ) = 0.357
𝐴𝑇

Where:
𝑉𝐷 = volume of the biological reactor used for denitrification (200 m3)
𝑉𝐴𝑇 = volume of the biological reactor (aerated tank + denitrification tank: 360 m3)
Moreover, the BOD5 inlet parameter should be used and during winter conditions this
𝑉
value is 516 kgBOD/d (see Table 7). Indeed, the value for the ratio between 𝐷⁄𝑉 is
𝐴𝑇
between the two provided in the tables, of 0.3 and 0.4. In Table 13 it is therefore
highlighted the two SRT values that were interpolated to get the final result: 11.7 days
and 13.7. The value for the SRT is therefore 12.24 days, during winter period.
This value is smaller than the one obtained with the performed simulation (20.39 days).
It is therefore compliant with ATV-DVWK-A 131E requirements.

56
Table 12: Dimensioning sludge age in days dependent on the treatment target and the temperature
as well as the plant size (intermediate values are to be estimated)

3.5.2 Required Sludge Age - summer

The calculation of the aerated SRT in summer is to be determined through the equation
provided since no tables are given at 20°C.
The required sludge age for nitrification and denitrification, according to ATV-DVWK-
A 131E standards (pg. 23, ATV-DVWK-A 131E manual) is calculated as follows:

1
𝑡𝑆𝑆,𝑑𝑖𝑚 = 𝑆𝐹 ∗ 3.4 ∗ 1,103(15−𝑇) ∗ 𝑉𝐷 [𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠]
1− ⁄𝑉
𝐴𝑇

Where:
SF = it is determined from the capacity of the plant, below 1200 kgBOD/d is 1.8 while
above 6000 kgBOD/d is 1.45
3.4 = empirical coefficient derived from the net growth rate of Nitrosomonas at 15°C.
T = the design temperature (20°C)
VD
⁄V = the ratio calculated in the previous paragraph
AT
In the WWTP Porec South case, the SF was interpolated for the design BOD load (2880
kg BOD/d), as for ATV-DVWK-A 131E prescriptions. The obtained SF is 1.68. The
calculation of the aerated SRT is therefore:
1
𝑡𝑆𝑆, = 1,7 ∗ 3.4 ∗ 1,103(15−20) ∗ = 5.19 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
1 − 0.33

57
The required sludge age during summer period is therefore 5.19 days.
Hence, also for summer conditions the equilibrium t SS (SRT) of the system (6,48 days)
is compliant with ATV-DVWK-A 131E standards.

3.5.3 Determination of the proportion of the reactor volume for

denitrification

The empirical values listed in Table 12 (pg. 25, ATV-DVWK-A 131E manual) should
be used to determine the ratio between denitrification and aerated tank. For a check, the
ratio between the concentration of nitrogen to be denitrified and of influent BOD were
determined.
According to ATV-DVWK-A 131E standards:

𝑆𝑁𝑂3,𝐷 = 𝐶𝑁,𝐼𝐴𝑇 − 𝑆𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑁,𝐸𝑆𝑇 − 𝑆𝑁𝐻4,𝐸𝑆𝑇 − 𝑆𝑁𝑂3,𝐸𝑆𝑇 − 𝑋𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑁,𝐵𝑀 [𝑚𝑔/𝐿]

Where:
SNO3,D = daily average nitrate concentration to be denitrified
CN,IAT = influent nitrogen concentration
SorgN,EST = organic nitrogen in the effluent (default value is 2 mg/l)
SNH4,EST = ammonium content in the effluent (as a safety factor it was considered zero)
SNO3,EST = nitrate concentration in the influent (considered zero)
XorgN,BM = amount of nitrogen incorporated in the biomass, it can be considered the
0.05 ∗ CBOD,IAT
Therefore:

𝑆𝑁𝑂3,𝐷 = 99 − 2 − 0.05 ∗ 539 = 70.05 𝑚𝑔/𝐿

This value should be divided for the BOD concentration in the inlet, thus making:

𝑆𝑁𝑂3,𝐷 70.05 𝑚𝑔/𝑙

⁄𝐶 = ⁄539 𝑚𝑔/𝑙 = 0.13
𝐵𝑂𝐷,𝐼𝐴𝑇

The obtained value is the same as the one reported in Table 12 for the ratio between the
denitrification tank and the total biological volume.

58
Table 13: Standard values for the dimensioning of denitrification for dry weather at temperatures
from 10° to 12° C and common conditions
(kg nitrate nitrogen to be denitrified per kg influent BOD 5)

3.5.4 Phosphorous removal

According to ATV-DVWK-A 131E standards, biological phosphorous removal can take

place if the retention time in the anaerobic tank is at least 0.5 ÷ 0.75 hours, referred to
the maximum dry weather inflow and return sludge flow (pg. 26, ATV-DVWK-A 131E
manual). Note that the return from the centrifuge is not taken into account because its
contribution to the HRT would have been very small (less than 3% of the total flow to
be considered in calculations).
The calculation is therefore:

𝑉𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑐 ∗ #𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

⁄𝑄 ≥ 0.5 ÷ 0.75
𝐷𝑊,ℎ + 𝑄𝑅𝑆

Results are shown in Table 14.

Parameter Winter Summer M.U.

QDW
60 490 [m3/h]

QRS
40 325 [m3/h]

Lines in operation 2 4 -

HRT 4 0.98 h

Table 14: Values used in the calculation of the anaerobic HRT

59
As it can be seen from the table, the hydraulic retention time is above the upper limit
provided by the ATV-DVWK-A 131E.
The foreseen anaerobic volume is therefore compliant with ATV-DVWK-A 131E
suggested values.
The high value of HRT obtained during winter condition takes into account the
difficulties in performing biological phosphorous removal at low temperature.

3.5.5 Sludge production

Comparison with Wastewater engineering: Treatment and reuse (Metcalf & Eddy,
2002)
Due to the lack of guidelines on the biological sludge production in a MBR WWTP, the
results from the dynamic model are compared with the sludge production that is
expected from Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse (Metcalf & Eddy, 2002).
The following equation was used (Ch. 7: “Fundamentals of Biological Treatment”, pg.
594):

𝑄 ∗ 𝑌 ∗ (𝑆0 − 𝑆) 𝑓𝑑 ∗ 𝑘𝑑 ∗ 𝑄 ∗ 𝑌 ∗ (𝑆0 − 𝑆) ∗ 𝑆𝑅𝑇

𝑃𝑋,𝑉𝑆𝑆 = + + 𝑄 ∗ 𝑋0,𝑖
1 + 𝑘𝑑 ∗ 𝑆𝑅𝑇 1 + 𝑘𝑑 ∗ 𝑆𝑅𝑇

𝑃𝑋,𝑉𝑆𝑆 = (𝐴) + (𝐵) + (𝐶)

Where:
Q = inflow (m3/d)
Y = biomass yield (mg VSS/mg bs COD)
S0 = influent substrate concentration, as mg bsCOD/l
This value is calculated as S0 = Fbs ∗ CODin with Fbs being the rb soluble COD
fraction in the inlet (assumed of 0.2)
S = effluent substrate concentration, as mg bsCOD/l, assumed as 5 mg bsCOD/l
Kd = endogenous decay rate coefficient (d-1)
fd = fraction of biomass that remains as cell debris (gVSS/gVSS)
X0,i = amount of non-biodegradable VSS in the influent (mg VSS/l)
This value is given from X0,i = Fup ∗ CODin where Fup is the nobiodegradable
particulate COD. A value of 0.13 is assumed (taken from the fractioning employed in
the simulations).
The letters A, B and C respectively indicate heterotrophic biomass growth, cell debris
and the amount of non-biodegradable VSS in the influent.

60
Once found, the daily production of VSS, this must be corrected for the amount of TSS
as follows:
(𝐴) (𝐵)
𝑃𝑋,𝑇𝑆𝑆 = + + (𝐶) + 𝑄 ∗ (𝑇𝑆𝑆0 − 𝑉𝑆𝑆0 )
𝑉𝑆𝑆⁄ 𝑉𝑆𝑆⁄
𝑇𝑆𝑆 𝑇𝑆𝑆

Where:
TSS = total suspended solids in the effluent (mg /l)
VSS = volatile suspended solids in the effluent (mg /l)
In the following Table 15 the calculations are shown:

Parameter Winter Summer M.U.

SRT (𝑡𝑆𝑆 ) 20.39 6.48 d

Q 958 7800 m3/d

Y 0.4 0.4 mg VSS/mg bs COD

Fbs 0.2 0.2 -

COD0 1077 738 mg COD/L

S0 215 147 mg bs COD/L

S 5 5 mg bs COD/L

kd 0.15 0.15 d-1

fd 0.1 0.1 -

Fup 0.13 0.13 -

X0i 140 96 g nbVSS/m3

VSS/COD 1.2 1.2 g COD/ g nbTSS

PVSS 187 1145 kg VSS/d

VSS/TSSin 0.7 0.7 -

TSS0 628 431 g/m3

61
 VSS0 440 302 g/m3

ISS0 188 129 g/m3

VSS/TSSout 0.6 0.6 -

PTSS 385 2319 kg TSS/d

Sludge production 400 2320 kg TSS/d

Difference +15 +1 kg TSS/d

Table 15: Parameters and calculations employed for the comparison on sludge production

Therefore, the results obtained from the simulations are in line with the expected sludge
production from Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse (Metcalf & Eddy,
2002).

Comparison with ATV-DVWK-A 131E

Sludge production depends on the sludge age through the following (pg. 27, ATV-
DVWK-A 131E manual):

𝑋𝑆𝑆.𝐼 𝐴𝑇 (1 − 0.2) ∗ 0.17 ∗ 0.75 ∗ 𝑡𝑆𝑆 ∗ 𝐹𝑇 𝑘𝑔⁄

𝑆𝑃𝑑 = 𝐵𝑑.𝐵𝑂𝐷 ∗ (0.75 + 0.6 ∗ − [ 𝑑]
𝐶𝐵𝑂𝐷.𝐼 𝐴𝑇 1 + 0.17 ∗ 𝑡𝑆𝑆 ∗ 𝐹𝑇

Where:
XSS,I AT = influent solids concentration to the aeration tank, respectively 583 mg/l and
350 mg/L for winter and summer conditions (data taken from BioWin simulations).
CBOD,I AT = influent BOD concentration to the aeration tank. For the sake of simplicity
this value was considered to be equal to the one in the influent. The values are 539 and
369 mg /L for winter and summer respectively.
The role of temperature is taken into account with the coefficient FT , whose value is
determined as follows:

𝐹𝑇 = 1.072(𝑇−15)

Thus resulting, in 0.81 and 1.42 respectively for winter and summer period.
The following Table 16 sums up the obtained results:

62
 Parameter Winter Summer M.U.

𝑡𝑆𝑆 considered in calculation 20.39 6.48 d

Specific Sludge Production 0.96 0.95 kg/kg BOD

Daily Sludge Production 493 2746 kg/d

Actual sludge production 400 2320 kg/d

Table 16: Sludge production as a function of the different SRT obtained or stated in the ATV-
DVWK-A 131E

The ATV-DVWK-A 131E guidelines have led to a calculated sludge production that is
higher than what obtained with BioWin simulations. However, ATV-DVWK-A 131E
guideline do not regulate sludge production in WWTPs with membrane technologies,
since they only refer to conventional ASP plants.
It must be noted that standards of Merkblatt DWA-M 227 on membrane system design
do not mention biological sludge production. Therefore, for biological sludge
production, reference values are taken from ATV-DVWK-A 131E.

3.5.6 Volume of the biological reactor

The mass of suspended solid in system is given by (pg. 30, ATV-DVWK-A 131E
manual):

𝑀𝑆𝑆,𝐴𝑇 = 𝑡𝑆𝑆 ∗ 𝑆𝑃𝑑 [𝑘𝑔]

Where the meaning of t SS and SPd has already being explained in the previous text.
The volume of the biological reactor is derived from:

𝑀𝑆𝑆,𝐴𝑇
𝑉𝐴𝑇 = [𝑚3 ]
𝑆𝑆𝐴𝑇

Where:
VAT = volume of the biological reactor

63
SSAT = biomass concentration in the aerated and anoxic tank, weighted average
In the following Table 17, the obtained results are presented:

Parameter Winter Summer M.U.

𝑡𝑆𝑆 considered in calculation 20.39 6.48 d

𝑆𝑃𝑑 400 2320 kg/day

𝑀𝑆𝑆,𝐴𝑇 8156 15034 kg

𝑉𝐴𝑇 1110 2047 m3

𝑉𝐴𝑇,𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 6 1070 2140 m3

Excess volume with comparison to the ATV-DVWK-A 131E -4% +5% -

Table 17: Parameters for biological reactor volume determination

As it can be seen from the table, the design volume is compliant with what is required
from the ATV-DVWK-A 131E .

3.5.7 Summary of obtained results

In the following Table 18, a final summary of the comparison between the design of the
WWTP and the ATV-DVWK-A 131E/Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse
(Metcalf & Eddy, 2002) is shown:

6Only the volumes of the anoxic and aerobic tanks were considered in the calculation, as required by ATV-DVWK-
A 131E

64
 ATV-DVWK-A
Design values Compliance
131E values
Design parameter
Winter Summer Winter Summer Winter Summer

𝑡𝑆𝑆 20.39 6.48 12.24 5.19 Yes Yes

Proportion of reactor volume

0.33 0.33 0.33 0.33 Yes Yes
for Denitrification
𝐻𝑅𝑇 for Phosphorous ≥ 0.5 ≥ 0.5
4.0 0.98 Yes Yes
removal ÷ 0.75 ÷ 0.75

𝑆𝑃𝑑 400 2320 495 2728 Yes7 Yes

Volume of the aerated tank 1070 2140 1110 2047 Yes Yes

Table 18: Summary of the compliance of the WWTP design with ATV-DVWK-A 131E/
Wastewater engineering: Treatment and reuse

3.6 Simulation of an extreme event

3.6.1 Assumed scenario

In order to perform this simulation, a scenario of a 5-day storm event during the month
of August (month with the highest flows to the plant) was simulated. The goal is to
simulate the performance of the plant under “above peak flow” conditions and to see if
the plant could still maintain its normal operation and at the same time respect the
effluent requirements. To do this, the following assumptions were taken:
 Three hours of peak inflow (between the night time hours 01:00 - 04:00, when
under normal conditions the lowest flow values are present);
 Peak flow: 610 m3/h;
 SRT: 6.28 days;
 Temperature: 20°C;
 Duration: 5 days (Aug 21th - Aug 26th).

3.6.2 Performed simulation and results

After the performed simulation and by observing the results, it can be concluded that
even under these unfavourable inflow conditions, the plant remains operable.

7The compliance on sludge production has already been discussed. The lack of regulation in the ATV-DVWK-A
131E has led to the comparison with Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse (Metcalf & Eddy, 2002)

65
 By looking at Figure 25, it can be observed that the effluent Ammonia is somewhat
elevated under these conditions; however a complete nitrification is still achieved (N-
NH4 and N-NO2 are still below 1 mgN/L).
The only cause for concern would be the period of Aug 25th - Aug 26th, in which the
value of TN is above the 15 mg/L limit set for the project. However, after this short
period the TN value drops and equilibrium is achieved just at the given limit.

T=20°C
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
CONC. (mgN/L)

12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
02/08 04/08 06/08 08/08 10/08 12/08 14/08 16/08 18/08 20/08 22/08 24/08 26/08 28/08 30/08

Effluent Nitrate N Effluent Nitrite N

Effluent Total N Effluent Ammonia N
Average Effluent Nitrate Average Ammonia Effluent
Average Effluent Total P Average Effluent Nitrite
Effluent Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Average Effluent TKN
Effluent Composite Ammonia N (flow weighted) Effluent Composite Total N (flow weighted)

Figure 25: Effluent Nitrogen fractions (summer - extreme event)

In the Figure 26 and Figure 27, it can be seen, as expect, the increase in the excess
sludge production and biomass production, which as a consequences requires higher
aeration rate (higher oxygen demand of the biomass) as shown in Figure 28.

66
 T=20°C

1.200
1.150
1.100
1.050
1.000
950
900
850
800
750
700
650
600
550
02-08 04-08 06-08 08-08 10-08 12-08 14-08 16-08 18-08 20-08 22-08 24-08 26-08 28-08 30-08

Total suspended solids Mass rate from pre-treatment

Average solids from pretreatment production

Figure 26: Total waste material produced from pre-treatment (summer - extreme event)

T=20°C
2.800

2.700

2.600 2.543,988

2.500

2.400 2.355,451 2.354,072 2.354,155 2.354,364 2.354,547

2.300

2.200

2.100

2.000
02-08 04-08 06-08 08-08 10-08 12-08 14-08 16-08 18-08 20-08 22-08 24-08 26-08 28-08 30-08

Dewatering unit Total suspended solids (U) Average dewatered sludge

Figure 27: Total excess sludge production from dewatering (summer - extreme event)

67
 T=20°C
WWTP POREC JUG
1.500
1.450
1.400
1.350
1.300
1.250
1.200
1.150
1.100
1.050
1.000
950
900
850
800
750
700
650
600
550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
02/08 04/08 06/08 08/08 10/08 12/08 14/08 16/08 18/08 20/08 22/08 24/08 26/08 28/08 30/08

1st zone air flow rate 2nd zone air flow rate Total Air Flow Rate

Figure 28: Air flow rate needed to perform the aeration of biomass (summer - extreme event)

68
CHAPTER 4 - CONCLUSIONS

Activated sludge modelling and simulation are widely applied. Learning, design and
process optimization are the main application areas of WWTP models. The introduction
of the ASM model family by the IWA task group was of great importance in this field,
providing researchers and practitioners with a standardised set of basic models. These
basic models are mainly applicable to municipal wastewater systems, but can be
adapted easily to specific situations such as the presence of industrial wastewater.
Further developments in computer technology have led to the development of more
complex models as well as simulation environments such as BioWin that incorporate
many wastewater processes into a modelling tool along with an ease of use.
The availability of models and software applications such as these has allowed
engineers to explore, through simulation, a very broad range of system configurations,
inputs and operational strategies. By doing so, the base of experience is greatly
expanded and their intuitive decision making ability is increased.
In this work, we have established that:
 With the aid of a modelling tool we were able to verify the design and a chosen
configuration of a wastewater treatment plant;
 By given inputs of the Project and with the simulation for both summer and
winter conditions we were able to verify that the set effluent limits are respected
at all times;
 By modifying the input parameters and based on the initial WWTP design we
can essentially create many different scenarios and simulate their effects on the
plant and its processes.
All of this research can prove to be of great benefit during the design of a WWTP, since
the results allow to check and validate process tank volumes (anaerobic, anoxic and
aerated volumes), sludge concentrations, excess sludge extraction and sludge age,
recirculation rates and the compliance to the discharge limits. Any extreme event that
can have a detrimental effect on the activated sludge processes, aeration needs (biggest
source of energy consumption of most WWTPs) can be easily simulated and
anticipated.
Finally, through continued application of the models during the plant’s design phase, it
will be possible to define the feasible space better, thereby reducing the alternatives
which must be considered by a designer. Engineering design has always depended upon
heuristic rules founded upon experience. By increasing their experimental base, the
validity of those rules will be strengthened and the engineer’s ability will be improved.

69
BIBLIOGRAPHY

o ATV-DVWK-A 131E – Dimensioning of Single-Stage Activated Sludge Plants

(May 2000)
o Barker P.S., Dold P.L. (1997). General model for biological nutrient removal
activated-sludge systems: model presentation, Water Environ. Res.69 (5), 969
o Dold P. L., Wentzel M. C., Billing A. E., Ekama G. A. and Marais G. v. R. (1991)
Activated Sludge System Simulation Programs. Water Research Commission,
Pretoria, North Africa.
o EnviroSim Associates Ltd. (2012). User Manual for BioWin v.4.0, EnviroSim
Associates Ltd., Hamilton, Canada.
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Activated sludge wastewater treatment plant modelling and simulation: state of
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71
ANNEX - BIOWIN PARAMETERS (ASP)

Growth and Decay of Ordinary Heterotrophic Organisms (OHO):

Table A1: Kinetic parameters assumed in the growth and decay of OHOs

Name Default Unit Explanation

Determines the maximum specific growth rate of

ordinary heterotrophs. Substrate and nutrient
Maximum specific limitations will decrease the growth rate. This
3.2 d-1
growth rate parameter is sensitive only in very high loaded
plants (short SRT), and determines maximum BOD
removal capacity.

This parameter impacts the residual soluble

Substrate half
5.0 mgCOD/L substrate concentration in the effluent. The value is
saturation
usually low in normal municipal plants.

This parameter represents the fraction of organisms

that are able to grow under anoxic conditions
Anoxic growth
0.5 - and/or a reduction in the growth rate under anoxic
factor
conditions. Substrate and nutrient limitations may
further reduce the growth rate.

This parameter represents the fraction of organisms

Denitrification N2
which are able to reduce either nitrate or nitrite to
producers (NO3 or 0.5 -
nitrogen gas. [The remaining organisms being those
NO2)
only capable of reducing nitrate to nitrite.]

Decay rate constant under aerobic conditions. This

Aerobic decay rate 0.62 d-1 parameter impacts the endogenous respiration rate
and VSS destruction during aerobic stabilization.

Decay rate constant when there is no oxygen, but

Anoxic decay rate 0.233 d-1
either nitrate or nitrite is available.

Anaerobic decay Decay rate constant when there is no oxygen,

0.131 d-1
rate nitrate or nitrite available.

Maximum specific growth rate of ordinary

Fermentation rate 1.6 d-1
heterotrophs under anaerobic conditions.

Fermentation half Half saturation of complex substrate under

5.0 mgCOD/L
saturation anaerobic conditions

Fermentation Growth rate reduction under anaerobic conditions

0. 25 -
growth factor (AS) in activated sludge

72
 Table A2: Stoichiometric parameters assumed in the growth and decay of OHOs

Name Default Unit Explanation

Amount of biomass COD produced using one

unit of readily biodegradable complex substrate
COD. The remaining COD is oxidized. This
Yield
0.666 mgCOD/mgCOD parameter is very stable in municipal plants and
(Aerobic)
seldom needs adjustment. In case there is a
mismatch between measured and simulated
sludge production and OUR.

N content of heterotrophs. This parameter

N in Biomass 0.07 mgN/mgCOD impacts the nitrogen available for nitrification
and therefore oxygen demand.

P content of heterotrophs. This parameter

P in Biomass 0.022 mgP/mgCOD influences the P removal in non Bio-P systems,
and the P content of the sludge.

Endogenous
Fraction of biomass that becomes inert upon
fraction - 0.08 -
aerobic decay.
aerobic
Endogenous
Fraction of biomass that becomes inert upon
fraction - 0.103 -
anoxic decay.
anoxic
Endogenous
Fraction of biomass that becomes inert upon
fraction - 0.184 -
anaerobic decay.
anaerobic

Biomass yield on readily biodegradable complex

Yield (anoxic) 0.54 mgCOD/mgCOD
substrate COD under anoxic conditions.

73
 Table A3: Stoichiometric parameters assumed, common to all the processes

Name Default Unit Explanation

Volatile fraction of active biomass.

Biomass volatile Internal ISS 8 generated (uptake of
0.92 mgVSS/ mgTSS
fraction (VSS/TSS) minerals and micronutrients) by biomass
growth.

Endogenous residue
volatile fraction 0.92 mgVSS/ mgTSS Volatile fraction of endogenous residue.
(VSS/TSS)

N in endogenous N content of endogenous residue from

0.07 mgN/ mgCOD
residue organism decay.

P in endogenous P content of endogenous residue from

0.022 mgP/ mgCOD
residue organism decay.

Conversion factor between endogenous

Endogenous residue
1.42 mgCOD/mgVSS residue measured as COD and its VSS
COD:VSS Ratio
content.

Conversion factor between particulate

Particulate substrate
1.6 mgCOD/mgVSS substrate measured as COD and its VSS
COD:VSS Ratio
content.

Conversion factor between particulate

Particulate inert
1.6 mgCOD/mgVSS inert measured as COD and its VSS
COD:VSS Ratio
content.

Table A4: pH inhibition for OHOs

Name Default Unit Explanation

At a pH equal to this value the growth rate of ordinary

OHO low pH pH heterotrophic biomass will be reduced by 50%.
4.0
limit units Heterotrophs exhibit tolerance for pH changes – hence the
wide pH range.

OHO high pH pH At a pH equal to this value the growth rate of ordinary

10.0
limit units heterotrophic biomass will be reduced by 50%.

At a pH equal to this value the growth rate of ordinary

OHO low pH pH
5.5 heterotrophic biomass under anaerobic conditions will be
limit (anaerobic) units
reduced by 50%.

At a pH equal to this value the growth rate of ordinary

OHO high pH pH
8.5 heterotrophic biomass under anaerobic conditions will be
limit (anaerobic) units
reduced by 50%.

8
ISS= inorganic suspended solid

74
 Table A5: Switching functions for OHOs

Name Default Unit Explanation

This constant is used to switch off aerobic OHO

activity under low DO conditions (that is in
OHO DO half
0.05 mgO2/L anaerobic and anoxic reactors). Anoxic or
saturation
anaerobic processes will become active as
environmentally appropriate.

This constant is used to turn off anoxic growth,

Anoxic/anaerobic
0.15 mgN/L decay and hydrolysis processes on under
NOx half saturation
conditions of low nitrate and nitrite.

Anoxic NO3 This constant is used to switch off anoxic growth

(→NO2) half 0.1 mgN/L processes producing nitrite under low nitrate
saturation conditions.

This constant is used to switch off anoxic growth

Anoxic NO3 (→N2)
0.05 mgN/L processes using nitrate under low nitrate
half saturation
conditions.

This constant is used to switch off anoxic growth

Anoxic NO2 (→N2)
0.01 mgN/L processes using nitrite under low nitrite
half saturation
conditions.

This constant is used to slow all biomass growth

NH3 nutrient half
0.005 mgN/L processes at low ammonia-N concentrations (N
saturation
nutrient limiting conditions.

This constant is used to slow the growth of

P nutrient half
0.001 mgP/L biomass when there is no phosphorus available
saturation
as nutrient.

This constant switches between two fermentation

H2 low/high half pathways, generating acetate and propionate in
1.0 mgCOD/L
saturation various ratios, depending on available H2
concentration.

Synthesis
Half saturation concentration for anions and
anion/cation half 0.01 meq/L
cations.
saturation

75
Hydrolysis, Adsorption, Ammonification and Assimilative denitrification:

Table A6: Kinetic parameters (common to all the above mentioned processes)

Name Default Unit Explanation

Rate constant for hydrolysis of slowly degradable organics

Hydrolysis rate 2.1 d-1
into readily degradable substrate.

Monod half saturation constant for the regulation of

Hydrolysis half
0.06 - hydrolysis rate, expressed in terms of particulate substrate to
saturation
heterotrophic biomass ratio.

Anoxic
hydrolysis 0.28 - Rate reduction factor for hydrolysis under anoxic conditions.
factor
Anaerobic
Rate reduction factor for hydrolysis under anaerobic
hydrolysis 0.04 -
conditions in activated sludge.
factor (AS)
Anaerobic
Rate reduction factor for hydrolysis under anaerobic
hydrolysis 0.5 -
conditions in anaerobic digestion.
factor (AD)

Adsorption rate
0.15 d-1 Conversion rate of colloidal material to particulate.
of colloids

Ammonification Conversion rate of soluble organic nitrogen compounds to

0.08 d-1
rate ammonia

Assimilative
Conversion rate of nitrite and/or nitrate to ammonia under
nitrate/nitrite 0.5 d-1
ammonia limited conditions
reduction rate
Endogenous
Conversion rate of endogenous products to particulate
products decay 0 d-1
substrate.
rate

Table A7: Threshold value of absorbed slowly biodegradable substrate from OHO

Name Default Unit Explanation

Threshold ratio of adsorbed slowly biodegradable

Adsorption
1.0 mgCOD/mgCOD substrate to heterotrophic organisms. Above this
Max.
threshold ratio colloidal adsorption ceases.

76
 Table A8: Switching functions for all the above mentioned processes

Name Default Unit Explanation

This constant is used to switch off aerobic

OHO DO half
0.05 mgO2/L activity under low DO conditions (that is in
saturation
anaerobic and anoxic reactors).

This constant is used to turn off anoxic growth,

Anoxic/anaerobic NOx
0.15 mgN/L decay and hydrolysis processes under conditions
half saturation
of low nitrate and nitrite.

This constant is used to slow all biomass growth

NH3 nutrient half
0.005 mgN/L processes at low ammonia-N concentrations (N
saturation
nutrient limiting conditions.

Growth and Decay of Ammonia Oxidizing Biomass (AOB):

Table A9: Kinetic parameters for AOB

Name Default Unit Explanation

Determines the maximum specific growth rate of

ammonia oxidizing biomass. Substrate and nutrient
Max. spec. growth
0.9 d-1 limitations will decrease the growth rate. This
rate
parameter has a direct impact on the nitrification
capacity.

This parameter impacts the residual ammonia

Substrate (NH4) half
0.7 mgN/L concentration in the effluent. The value is usually low
saturation
in normal municipal plants.

DO half saturation concentration for AOB

AOB denite DO
0.10 mg/L- denitrification. Note: This parameter is only used if
half saturation
the Nitrous oxide model option is turned on.

Decay rate constant under aerobic conditions for

Aerobic decay rate 0.17 d-1
ammonia oxidizing biomass.

Anoxic/anaerobic Decay rate constant under non-aerobic conditions for

0.08 d-1
decay rate ammonia oxidizing biomass.

KiHNO2 0.005 mmol/L Nitrous acid inhibition concentration.

77
 Table A10: Stoichiometric parameters for AOB

Name Default Unit Explanation

AOB COD produced by oxidizing 1 mg of

Yield 0.15 mgCOD/mgN
ammonia to nitrite.

N in biomass 0.07 mgN/ mgCOD N content of AOB.

P in biomass 0.022 mgP/ mgCOD P content of AOB.

Fraction going to
Fraction of biomass that becomes inert upon
endogenous 0.08 -
decay.
residue
Conversion factor between biomass as
measured in COD and its VSS content. This
COD:VSS ratio 1.42 mgCOD/mgVSS
value is relatively stable for biomass. (Actually
this value was already shown in Table A3)

Table A11: pH inhibition for autotrophic biomass (and therefore for AOB).

Name Default Unit Explanation

Autotrophs low pH At a pH equal to this value the growth rate of AOB,

5.5
pH limit units NOB and AAO organisms will be reduced by 50%.

Autotrophs high pH At a pH equal to this value the growth rate of AOB,

9.5
pH limit units NOB and AAO organisms will be reduced by 50%.

78
 Table A12: Switching functions for AOB (autotrophic biomass)

Name Default Unit Explanation

This parameter is used to switch off ammonia

AOB DO half
oxidation by AOB organisms under low DO
saturation 0.25 mgO2/L conditions.

This parameter is used to switch off the growth of

P nutrient half
biomass when there is no phosphorus available as
saturation 0.001 mgP/L nutrient.

This parameter is used to switch off the growth of

Autotroph CO2 half
AOB and NOB organisms when there is little
saturation 0.1 mmol/L inorganic carbon available.

Synthesis
Half saturation concentration for anions and
anion/cation half 0.01 meq/L
cations.
saturation

Growth and Decay of Nitrite Oxidizing Biomass (NOB):

Table A13: Kinetic parameters for NOB. Please note that those values differ to the ones presented
for AOB bacteria only for the maximum specific growth rate (that is slightly lower for NOB) with
all other values being the same as the ones presented in Table 9

Name Default Unit Explanation

Determines the maximum specific growth rate of

nitrite oxidizing biomass. Substrate, nutrient
Max. spec. growth
0.7 d-1 limitations and environmental conditions will
rate
decrease the growth rate. This parameter has a direct
impact on the nitrification capacity.

This parameter impacts the residual nitrite

Substrate (NO2)
0.1 mgN/L concentration in the effluent. The value is usually
half saturation
very low in normal municipal plants.

Decay rate constant under aerobic conditions for

Aerobic decay rate 0.17 d-1
nitrite oxidizing biomass.

Anoxic/anaerobic Decay rate constant under non-aerobic conditions for

0.08 d-1
decay rate nitrite oxidizing biomass.

KiHNH3 0.075 mmol/L Ammonia inhibition concentration.

79
 Table A14: Stoichiometric parameters for NOB

Name Default Unit Explanation

NOB COD produced by oxidizing 1 mg of

Yield 0.09 mgCOD/mgN
nitrite N.

N in biomass 0.07 mgN/ mgCOD N content of NOB.

P in biomass 0.022 mgP/ mgCOD P content of NOB.

Fraction going to Fraction of biomass that becomes inert upon

0.08 -
endogenous residue decay.

Conversion factor between biomass as

COD:VSS ratio 1.42 mgCOD/mgVSS measured in COD and its VSS content. This
value is relatively stable for biomass.

Table A15: Switching functions for NOB (autotrophic biomass)

Name Default Unit Explanation

NOB DO half This parameter is used to switch off nitrite oxidation

0.5 mgO2/L
saturation by NOB under low DO conditions.

This constant is used to slow all biomass growth

NH3 nutrient half
0.005 mgN/L processes at low ammonia-N concentrations (N
saturation
nutrient limiting conditions.

This parameter is used to switch off the growth of

P nutrient half
0.001 mgP/L biomass when there is no phosphorus available as
saturation
nutrient.

This parameter is used to switch off the growth of

Autotroph CO2 half
0.1 mmol/L AOB, NOB and AAO organisms when there is little
saturation
inorganic carbon available.

Synthesis
anion/cation half 0.01 meq/L Half saturation concentration for anions and cations.
saturation

80
Growth and Decay of Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms (PAOs):

Table A16: Kinetic parameters for PAO

Name Default Unit Explanation

Determines the maximum attainable growth rate of

Max. spec.
0.95 d-1 phosphorus accumulating heterotrophic organisms if
growth rate
no substrate, DO or P limitation occurs.

Max. spec. Determines the maximum attainable growth rate of

growth rate, P- 0.42 d-1 phosphorus accumulating heterotrophic organisms
limited under phosphorus limiting conditions.

mg
Substrate half CODPHB Half saturation constant for PHA, used as substrate
0.1
saturation / mg by phosphorus accumulating organisms.
CODPAO
mg
Substrate half CODPHB Half saturation constant for PHA, under phosphorus
saturation, P- 0.05
/ mg limiting conditions.
limited
CODPAO

Magnesium half Half saturation constant for Magnesium storage

0.1 mgMg / L
saturation during poly-P synthesis.

Cation half Half saturation constant for cation (primarily

0.1 meq / L
saturation potassium) storage during poly-P synthesis.

Calcium half Half saturation constant for Calcium storage during

0.1 mgCa / L
saturation poly-P synthesis.

Aerobic/anoxic Decay rate constant under aerobic or anoxic

0.1 d-1
decay rate conditions.

Aerobic/anoxic Maintenance rate constant under aerobic or anoxic

0 d-1
maintenance rate conditions. [Default off]

Anaerobic decay
0.04 d-1 Decay rate constant under anaerobic conditions.
rate

Anaerobic Maintenance/polyphosphate cleavage rate constant

0 d-1
maintenance rate under anaerobic conditions. [Default off]

Sequestration Rate constant for VFA sequestration to form PHA

4.5 d-1
rate (stored substrate).

This parameter represents the fraction of organisms

that are able to grow under anoxic conditions and/or
Anoxic growth
0.33 - a reduction in the growth rate under anoxic
factor
conditions. Substrate and nutrient limitations may
further reduce the growth rate.

81
 Table A17: Stochiometric parameters for PAOs

Name Default Unit Explanation

Amount of biomass produced using one unit

0.63
Yield (aerobic) mgCOD/mgCOD of substrate under aerobic conditions. The
9
rest of the substrate will be oxidized.

Amount of biomass produced using one unit

Yield (anoxic) 0.52 mgCOD/mgCOD
of substrate under anoxic conditions.

Aerobic P/PHA Amount of P stored per unit of PHA oxidized

0.93 mgP/mgCOD
uptake in aerobic conditions

Anoxic P/PHA Amount of P stored per unit of PHA in

0.35 mgP/mgCOD
uptake anoxic conditions.

Yield of PHA on 0.88 Amount of PHA stored when 1 mg of acetate

mgCOD/mgCOD
sequestration 9 or propionate is sequestered.

N content of phosphorus accumulating

organisms. Has a significant effect on
N in biomass 0.07 mgN/ mgCOD
nitrogen availability for nitrification and
therefore oxygen demand.

N content of soluble inert organics

N in sol. inert 0.07 mgN/ mgCOD originating from phosphorus accumulating
organism decay.

P content of phosphorus accumulating

0.02
P in biomass mgP/ mgCOD organisms, not including P stored in the form
2
of Poly-P

Fraction to Fraction of biomass that becomes particulate

0.25 -
endogenous part. inert upon decay.

Inert fraction of Fraction of biomass that becomes soluble

0.2 -
endogenous sol. inert upon decay.

Amount of P released for one mg of acetate

P/Ac release ratio 0.51 mgP/mgCOD
sequestered in the form of PHA

Conversion factor between biomass as

measured in COD and its VSS content. This
COD:VSS Ratio 1.42 mgCOD/mgVSS value is relatively stable for biomass.
(Actually this value was already shown in
Table A3)

82
 Fraction of P stored in releasable poly-P form
Yield of low PP 0.94 mgP/mgP (rest of P is stored in high molecular weight,
non-releasable poly-P)

Mole ratio of magnesium to phosphorus in

Mg to P mole ratio stored polyphosphate. This magnesium is
0.3 molMg/molP
in polyphosphate released when polyphosphate is used
(together with the phosphate release).

Mole ratio of other cations (primarily

Cation to P mole potassium) to phosphorus in stored
ratio in 0.15 meq/mmolP polyphosphate. These cations are released
polyphosphate when polyphosphate is used (together with
the phosphate release).

Mole ratio of calcium to phosphorus in stored

Ca to P mole ratio polyphosphate. This calcium is released
0.05 molCa/molP
in polyphosphate when polyphosphate is used (together with
the phosphate release).

Table A18: pH inhibition for PAOs

Name Default Unit Explanation

PAO low pH At a pH equal to this value the growth rate of polyphosphate

4.0
pH limit units accumulating biomass will be reduced by 50%.

PAO high pH At a pH equal to this value the growth rate of polyphosphate

10.0
pH limit units accumulating biomass will be reduced by 50%.

83
 Table A19: Switching functions for PAOs

Name Default Unit Explanation

This constant is used to switch off aerobic

PAO DO half
0.05 mgO2/L PAO activity under low DO conditions (that is
saturation
in anaerobic and anoxic reactors).

This constant is used to turn off anoxic

Anoxic/anaerobic
0.15 mgN/L growth, decay and hydrolysis processes under
NOx half saturation
conditions of low nitrate and nitrite.

Anoxic NO3 This constant is used to switch off anoxic

(→NO2) half 0.1 mgN/L growth processes producing nitrite under low
saturation nitrate conditions.

This constant is used to switch off anoxic

Anoxic NO3 (→N2)
0.05 mgN/L growth processes using nitrate under low
half saturation
nitrate conditions.

This constant is used to switch off anoxic

Anoxic NO2 (→N2)
0.01 mgN/L growth processes using nitrite under low
half saturation
nitrite conditions.

This constant is used to slow all biomass

NH3 nutrient half
0.005 mgN/L growth processes at low ammonia-N
saturation
concentrations (N nutrient limiting conditions)

This constant stops sequestration of VFA and

PolyP half saturation 0.01 mgP/mgCOD P release as the ratio of low molecular weight
polyphosphate to PAO falls.

VFA sequestration This is the half saturation concentration for

5.0 mgCOD/L
half saturation the sequestration of acetate and propionate.

This constant stops growth with

polyphosphate storage at low soluble
P uptake half
0.15 mgP/L phosphate concentrations. This constant will
saturation
have an impact on the effluent soluble P
concentration in a bio-P system.

This constant is used to slow the growth of

P nutrient half
0.001 mgP/L biomass when there is no phosphorus
saturation
available as nutrient.

Synthesis
Half saturation concentration for anions and
anion/cation half 0.01 meq/L
cations.
saturation

84