Simulation and optimization of ammonia removal at low temperature for a double channel oxidation ditch based on fully coupled activated sludge model (FCASM): A full-scale study

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2013-09, Vol.143, p.538-548
• Main Authors: Yang, Min, Sun, Peide, Wang, Ruyi, Han, Jingyi, Wang, Jianqiao, Song, Yingqi, Cai, Jing, Tang, Xiudi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated sludge; Ammonia; Ammonia - isolation & purification; Ammonia removal; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of sewage sludges and wastes; Biotechnology; Calibration; Cold Temperature; Computer simulation; Ditches; Environment and pollution; Full-scale; Fully coupled activated sludge model (FCASM); Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Low temperature; Mathematical models; Models, Chemical; Numerical optimization; Optimization; Oxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; Sewage; Waste Water
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.06.029

•A novel model was proposed to simulate and optimize the poor ammonia removal efficiency of a full-scale WWTP at low temperature.•Several important kinetic parameters were determined by respirometer test.•The optimal operating condition was DO of 3.5mgL−1, SRT of 15d, HRT of 14h.•Ammonia removal efficiency would improve 19.14% under the optimal operating condition. An optimal operating condition for ammonia removal at low temperature, based on fully coupled activated sludge model (FCASM), was determined in a full-scale oxidation ditch process wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The FCASM-based mechanisms model was calibrated and validated with the data measured on site. Several important kinetic parameters of the modified model were tested through respirometry experiment. Validated model was used to evaluate the relationship between ammonia removal and operating parameters, such as temperature (T), dissolved oxygen (DO), solid retention time (SRT) and hydraulic retention time of oxidation ditch (HRT). The simulated results showed that low temperature have a negative effect on the ammonia removal. Through orthogonal simulation tests of the last three factors and combination with the analysis of variance, the optimal operating mode acquired of DO, SRT, HRT for the WWTP at low temperature were 3.5mgL−1, 15d and 14h, respectively.