title: Wastewater treatment modelling in practice: a collaborative discussion of the state of the art.
abstract: Three consulting teams conducted independent modelling projects for three different wastewater treatment plants ranging in size from approximately 113,800 m(3)/d (30 mgd) to 530,000 m(3)/d (140 mgd), in different parts of the world (USA and Finland). The plants have different treatment objectives ranging from nitrification and partial denitrification (nitrate plus nitrite <8.7 mg/L) to enhanced nutrient removal (total nitrogen <3 mg/L, total phosphorus <0.3 mg/L). Commonly-used models were applied in the case studies, including ASM3 (using the GPS-X simulator), New General (using GPS-X), Dold (using BioWin), and a variation of the Dold model methanol degradation capabilities (NGmeth within GPS-X). The authors compare and contrast the modelling approaches taken, including calibration and validation approaches, sensitivity analyses, and the application of results to full-scale studies, designs and operations. Despite several differences between the approaches, there are many similarities which are discussed in light of the IWA draft uniform protocol for activated sludge modelling. The authors also discuss current modelling limitations and offer suggestions to improve the state of the art.
authors.affiliation: Black & Veatch Corporation, 8400 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114, USA. phillipshm@bv.com
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Sahlstedt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bratby
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rogowski
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pier
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mulas
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Copp
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shirodkar
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005387:Finland; D008396:Maryland; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D009584:Nitrogen