A model for the activated sludge process which considers wastewater characteristics, floc behavior, and microbial population

Abstract

A mathematical model has been developed which describes organics removal, oxygen utilization, ammonianitrogen removal, ortho-phosphate removal, and biomass production in an aggregated microbial suspension containing a uniform floc size and the organics as a soluble biodegradable material. It is applicable to both steady-state and transient conditions, as well as to systems experiencing only carbon oxidation or to systems experiencing both carbon oxidation and nitrification. The model, consisting of five partial differential equations and four ordinary differential equations, takes into account the flow pattern in the reactor, intraparticle mass transport of oxygen, organics, ammonia-nitrogen and ortho-phosphate, and biochemical reactions by the individual cells embedded in the floc.