An Empirical Dynamic Model for Waste Water Treatment Plant Clarifier Simulation

Abstract

One dimensional models of clarifiers have been studied. In these models clarifiers are considered as a set of layers exchanging matter one to another in the following two ways: convection and sedimentation. The sedimentation flux is deduced from the sedimentation velocity. This velocity can be stated as a function of the suspended solids concentration only. These models induce a strong underestimation of the sludge blanket level. This underestimation is explained because the sedimentation velocity does not take into account all the physics and hydraulics of the clarifier. In order to solve this point, a parametric expression of the velocity has been chosen. In this expression the parameter has been fitted so that the suspended solids residence time in the clarifier meets an empirical relation given by the bibliography. A real case has then been simulated using this parametric expression. The simulated sludge blanket evolution fitted the experimental data.

Keywords:

• Activated sludge
• sedimentation
• clarifier
• simulation
• blanket