Aerobic transformations in sewer systems: are they relevant?
In-sewer transformation processes affect wastewater quality. Especially during dwf the transformation processes can exert a significant influence on wastewater quality. The transformation rates under aerobic conditions were estimated from an oxygen mass balance over a sewer reach. Oxygen probes were installed at the upstream and downstream end of the sewer reach. Moreover, 14 wastewater samples, taken at the downstream end of the sewer reach, were used to measure the oxygen uptake rate and the water quality parameters COD(total), COD(dissolved) and ammonium. The results show that the rate of fluctuations in COD concentrations in sewer systems is an order of magnitude higher than the aerobic transformation rate. Consequently, it is concluded that the aerobic transformations in sewer systems are generally not relevant with respect to the influent fluctuations for Dutch wastewater systems. However, in situations with very long aerobic transport times, the aerobic conversions can be significant. An ASM1 based model concept for transformations in sewer systems was used to study the applicability of the model for Dutch sewer conditions. The difference between the measured and simulated values was rather low for the range of upstream dissolved oxygen and COD(total), COD(dissolved) and COD(suspended) levels. Therefore, it is concluded that the ASM1 based sewer model properly describes the changes in dissolved oxygen level in an aerobic sewer reach.
Flamink
C
C
Delft University of Technology (TUDelft), Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Section of Sanitary Engineering, P.O. Box 5048, NL-2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands. c.m.l.flamink@citg.tudelft.nl
Langeveld
J
J
Clemens
F
F
D000332:Aerobiosis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
D012722:Sewage; D010100:Oxygen