title: ASExpert: an integrated knowledge-based system for activated sludge plants.
abstract: The activated sludge process is commonly used for secondary wastewater treatment worldwide. This process is capable of achieving high quality effluent. However it has the reputation of being difficult to operate because of its poorly understood biological behaviour, variability of input flows and the need to incorporate qualitative data. To augment this incomplete knowledge with experience, knowledge-based systems were introduced in the 1980s however they didn't receive much popularity. This paper presents the Activated Sludge Expert system (ASExpert), which is a rule-based expert system plus a complete database tool proposed for use in activated sludge plants. The paper focuses on presenting the system's main features and capabilities to revive the interest in knowledge-based systems as a reliable means for monitoring plants. Then it presents the methodology adopted for ASExpert validation along with an assessment of testing results. Finally it concludes that expert systems technology has proved its importance for enhancing performance, especially if in the future it is integrated to a modern control system.
authors.affiliation: Sanitary Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sorour
authors.forename: L M F
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bahgat
authors.forename: Iskandarani M A
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: El
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Horan
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D005103:Expert Systems; D006801:Humans; D012722:Sewage
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage