An adaptive and predictive control strategy for an activated sludge process

Abstract

 This paper focuses on the development of a simple adaptive and predictive control algorithm, used to regulate the effluent quality of an activated sludge treatment process. This control algorithm is based on the development of a linear incremental second order model which takes distinctively into account the main disturbances on the process. The model is employed to predict the effluent pollution over a finite horizon. Then, the control inputs are computed from the predictions and the desired output set point. The simulations conducted with a non linear process model showed that such a control strategy could improve the process performances by minimizing the effluent pollution and the energetic cost of the system.