A review of pollution-based real-time modelling and control for sewage systems

• Published in: Heliyon 2024-06, Vol.10 (11), p.e31831, Article e31831
• Main Authors: da Silva Gesser, Rodrigo, Voos, Holger, Cornelissen, Alex, Schutz, Georges
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Real-time control; Sewage systems; Water quality
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31831

Conventional solutions for wastewater collection focus on reducing overflow events in the sewage network, which can be achieved by adapting sewer infrastructure or, a more cost-effective alternative, by implementing a non-engineering management solution. The state-of-the-art solution is centered on Real-Time Control (RTC), which is already resulting in a positive impact on the environment by decreasing the volume of wastewater being discharged into receiving waters. Researchers have been continuing efforts towards upgrading RTC solutions for sewage systems and a new approach, although rudimentary, was introduced in 1997, known as Pollution-based RTC (P-RTC), which added water quality (concentration or load) information explicitly within the RTC algorithm. Formally, P-RTC is encompassed of several control methodologies using a measurement or estimation of the concentration (i.e. COD or ammonia) of the sewage throughout the network. The use of P-RTC can result in a better control performance with a reduction in concentration of overflowing wastewater observed associated with an increase of concentration of sewage arriving at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The literature revealed that P-RTC can be differentiated by: (1) implementation method; (2) how water quality is incorporated, and (3) overall control objectives. Additionally, this paper evaluates the hydrological models used for P-RTC. The objective of this paper is to compile relevant research in pollution-based modelling and real-time control of sewage systems, explaining the general concepts within each P-RTC category and their differences.