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Modelling and Control of Wastewater Treatment Processes: An Overview and Recent Trends

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Water and Wastewater Management

Part of the book series: Water and Wastewater Management ((WWWE))

Abstract

In this study, some modelling and process control approaches used in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) are recalled. Two principal kinds of WWTP are used as frameworks: continuous anaerobic and aerobic. The highly nonlinear nature of the system models representing such processes is highlighted. In addition, parametric uncertainties that characterize them, and disturbances to which they are subject and that affect their performance are also underlined. Thus, mention is made of how various modelling and process control techniques have been used to face such issues in different ways. Typical deterministic models proposed by the International Water Association (IWA) are recalled, but some useful simpler models and even knowledge-based ones, like neural networks and fuzzy approaches, are also mentioned for specific applications. Particular emphasis is placed on the main parameters and variables to be monitored and controlled in order to ensure the optimal performance of WWTP: In the case of anaerobic digestion, alkalinity, and in the case of aerobic processes oxygen transfer efficiency. Thus, unlike classical Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers, two kinds of nonlinear control approaches, namely adaptive and predictive, which are robust against uncertainties, nonlinearities, and perturbations are cited as the most used in this kind of process. Finally, some implications are highlighted in terms of energy consumption and cost optimization, and how different control strategies in the frame of benchmarking are used to minimize their impact.

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Acknowledgements

This publication is an output of the global collaborative project “EXCEED—Swindon—Sustainable Water Management in Developing Countries”. The author highly acknowledge the support of German Academic Exchange Service DAAD for taking part.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad de Guadalajara-CUCEI, Guadalajara, Mexico

    Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez

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  1. Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez
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Correspondence to Victor Alcaraz-Gonzalez .

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  1. Institut für Ökologische und Nachhaltige Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany

    Müfit Bahadir

  2. Leichtweiss-Institut für Wasserbau, Exceed, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany

    Andreas Haarstrick

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Alcaraz-Gonzalez, V. (2022). Modelling and Control of Wastewater Treatment Processes: An Overview and Recent Trends. In: Bahadir, M., Haarstrick, A. (eds) Water and Wastewater Management. Water and Wastewater Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95288-4_12

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