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Introduction
In the past 20 years, there has been considerable interest in
finding alternatives to increase nitrification and denitrification in
activated sludge tanks that were originally designed for biochemical
1
Biofilm support media can be installed in one or more cells. Each cell
can be operated with or without aeration, as part of an anaerobic, preor post-anoxic, aerobic, or reaeration zone. For the unaerated cells,
the model computes the dissolved oxygen and oxidized nitrogen
(NOxN). This is compared with user-specified thresholds for aerobic,
anoxic, and anaerobic conditions, to determine whether aerobic,
anoxic, or anaerobic decay rates should be used for each cell.
The removals in the biofilm can be computed by two different
methods. The semiempirical version of the biofilm model incorporates Monodlike equations for the biofilm for substrate uptake and
removal under aerobic and anoxic conditions. These equations are
based on experimental measurements of biofilm flux rates observed
in pilot studies. The maximum nitrification rate per unit surface area
of biofilm (qm,NH4N2Nitr,bf) and the maximum COD utilization
rate per unit surface area of biofilm under aerobic and anoxic conditions (qmH,COD,bf,aer and qmH,COD,bf,anx) were quantified. The halfsaturation constants for substrate and dissolved oxygen for the
biofilm (KN,bf and KDO,bf) were determined through a separate model
calibration and from the literature. The methodology for quantifying
rates was published in Sen (1995) and is summarized below.
The modeling of the aeration system for IFAS and MBBR
systems are based on the equations for aeration modeling in the
Aeration Manual of Practice FD-13 (WPCF, 1988). Research is
being undertaken by various manufacturers on the aeration and
oxygen transfer efficiencies in IFAS tanks. This supplements the
work done with diffusers in activated sludge systems, in which the
oxygen transfer efficiency was measured for various roll configurations and diffuser placements types on the floor of the activated
sludge tank (Rooney and Huibregtse, 1980; Schmit et al., 1978).
This paper presents the structure of the semiempirical version. The
semiempirical model requires a shorter run time compared with the
biofilm 1-dimensional model presented in Sen and Randall (2008a).
Ammonium-Nitrogen Uptake Rate. Equations 1 to 17 show
how ammonium-nitrogen is incorporated to the semiempirical
version of the IFAS and MBBR models. The default values of the
various kinetics parameters mentioned in the discussion below are
based on literature values for activated sludge systems and observations from biofilms.
Ammonium-Nitrogen Uptake Rate by Nitrifiers in Biofilm. Equation 1 shows the ammonium-nitrogen uptake rate in the biofilm
(kilograms per day). The ammonium-nitrogen (NH4N) uptake rate
is the sum total of the ammonium-nitrogen uptake by nitrifiers for
synthesis and nitrification. For cell n, the NH4N uptake by the
nitrifiers (NH4Nu,bf,n 5 BN,,n) is computed as follows:
NH4 Nu;bf;n BN;n qm;NH4 NNitr;bf
SO2n
SNn
3
Vn Mn 1
KDO;nitr;bf SO2n KN;nitr;bf SNn
Where
qm,NH4N2Nitr,bf 5 flux rate for ammonium-nitrogen uptake by the
nitrifiers (expressed as kg/1000 m2 of biofilm
surface/d or mg/cm2/d).
The value of qm,NH4N2Nitr,bf for the biofilm is adjusted for mixed
liquor temperature. This is done using the Arrhenius equation, with
a temperature adjustment coefficient, h, as follows:
qm;NH4 NNitr;bf;T qm;NH4 NNitr;bf;25 hT25
and SO2
Where
KDO1,nitr,bf 5 4.5 mg/L.
Both forms of the equation (eqs 1 and 3) replicate the variation in
nitrification rates with dissolved oxygen and are consistent with the
data presented by Huhtamaki and Sen (2007), Odegaard (2005b),
and Weiss et al. (2005). In the data presented by Odegaard (2005b),
the maximum nitrification rate in biofilms, measured at 11 to 158C
and operating at NH4N levels above 3 mg/L and low soluble COD
levels, varies linearly with dissolved oxygen from 3 to 6 mg/L.
The rates increased from 0.75 kg/d/1000 m2 at 3 mg/L to 1.5 kg/d/
1000 m2 at 6 mg/L dissolved oxygen, which shows a first-order
relationship. The rate began to deviate gradually from first-order to
half-order at dissolved oxygen levels above 6 mg/L. At a dissolved
oxygen concentration of 9 mg/L, the rate was 2 kg/d/1000 m2. In the
equation presented by Weiss et al. (2005), the nitrification rate in
an MBBR varied linearly with dissolved oxygen over a range of 1 to
7 mg/L when the NH4N levels were above 3 mg/L, as follows:
qm;NH4 Nnit;bf 0:214SO2 1:151:047T20
Biofilm Nitrification Rates from Pilot Studies. Bench-scale pilot
systems were operated to determine rate coefficients. The activated
441
Figure 2Nitrication rates for biolm in IFAS and MBBR systems (DO 5 dissolved oxygen).
conducted when the systems were operated at 3.1-, 2.4-, 1.7-, 1.0-,
and 0.3-day MLSS MCRTs. The combination of 5 MLSS MCRTs
and three aerobic cells allowed one to measure rates for uptake of
ammonium-nitrogen by biofilm that developed under various
soluble biodegradable COD and ammonium-nitrogen conditions.
The method has been described by Sen (1995). The batch tests for
ammonium-nitrogen uptake were operated at very low soluble
biodegradable COD concentrations. This limited the ammoniumnitrogen uptake by the heterotrophs in the biofilm. The systems
were operated for a minimum of 3 MLSS MCRTs or 8 weeks,
whichever was longer, and monitored to ensure that steady-state
was achieved following each change in MLSS MCRT. This was to
ensure that the biofilm reached a reasonable degree of equilibrium
with the new soluble biodegradable COD profile.
The qm,NH4N2Nitr,bf data for the biofilm were graphed against
biodegradable soluble COD levels (SCODbio) for those conditions
where the soluble biodegradable COD in the aerobic reactor was
above 10 mg/L (Figure 2a). Note that the concentration referenced
is the concentration measured in the continuous-flow reactor understeady state operation at the various MLSS MCRTs. Above 10 mg/L,
Water Environment Research, Volume 80, Number 5
the studies showed that the nitrifiers in the biofilm were inhibited by
the concentration of soluble biodegradable COD and not influenced
by the concentration of NH4N in the reactor. An empirical relationship (equation for the line) was developed from the data (points on
the graph) using SYSTAT (a statistical software package by Systat
Software Inc., San Jose, California) to relate qm,NH4N2Nitr,,bf to
soluble biodegradable COD (Figure 2a), as follows:
SO2n
SNn
KDO;nitr;SS SO2n KN;nitr;SS SNn
3 Vn 1 BVFn fNitr Xn
Where
qm;NH4 NNitr;bf
AN KS;bfg;Nitr
KS;bfg;Nitr SCODbio 10
Where
AN 5 1.8 kg/1000 m2 of biofilm surface/d;
KS,bfg,Nitr 5 half-saturation constant for nitrifier growth in biofilm
(5 9.4 mg/L SCODbio); and
SCODbio 5 biodegradable soluble COD in the mixed liquor.
For SCODbio,10 mg/L, it was determined that the COD concentration did not inhibit the development of nitrifiers in the biofilm. The
qm,NH4N2Nitr,,bf that could be sustained by the biofilm increased
linearly with NH4N in the continuous-flow reactors (Figure 2b), as
follows:
qm;NH4 NNitr;bf DSN
Where
D 5 0.47 kg-L/mg/m2 of biofilm surface/d, and
SN 5 ammonium-nitrogen concentration in the mixed liquor
(mg/L).
An alternate form of eq 5 was used to simulate the conditions
observed at SCODbio,10 mg/L, as follows:
qm;NH4 NNitr;bf
AN SN
KN;bfgNitr SN
Where
KN,bfg,Nitr 5 half-saturation constant term in the equation to derive
qm,NH4N2Nitr,bf (maximum flux rate for ammoniumnitrogen uptake by the nitrifiers) from AN.
The value of KN,bfg,Nitr 5 2.1 mg/L NH4N. Note that this is not the
same as KN,bf in eq 1.
The value of AN over the range observed is in general agreement
with the value of 2 to 2.5 kg/1000 m2/d observed by Odegaard
(2005) and Odegaard et al. (1994) for Kaldnes Miljteknologi
(KMT) carriers at 10 to 158C, low soluble BOD concentrations, and
without oxygen limitation. The default value recommended for
modeling 5 2 kg/1000 m2/d.
Ammonium-Nitrogen Uptake Rate by Nitrifiers in Mixed Liquor
Volatile Suspended Solids. Equation 7 represents the ammoniumnitrogen uptake by nitrifiers in the suspended solids (SS) in
cell n. The units for MLVSS are kilograms per cubic meter. The
BVFn is the fraction of liquid volume in cell n that is displaced by
biofilm and its support media. It is characteristic of the type of
media and media fill volume fraction (mf) in the cell. The mf is
the fraction of empty tank volume that is filled with bare media.
For example, if 50% of the empty tank volume is filled with bare
media (media without biofilm on its surface), the mf 5 0.5. The fnitr
is the fraction of nitrifiers in the MLVSS.
May 2008
Where
IN,n 5 quantity of unassimilated ammonium-nitrogen
entering aerobic cell n (kg/d);
443
Table 1Values of coefcients measured in pilot studies and default values for the semiempirical model.a Refer to notes
b and c at the bottom of the table for sources of the values.
T
Value
measured
12
12
12
12
12
12
3.57
8.72
0.41
0.042
48
Default
Units/formula
Reference
Heterotrophs in MLVSS
Aerobic
um,H,aer,SS
qm,H,aer,SS
YH,aer
kd,H,aer
KH,S,,aerSS
KH,DO,SS
qm,hydr,aer,COD,SS
3.57
8.72
0.41
0.042
48
1
(0.1)
(qm,H,aer,SS)
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
b
b
b
b
b
c
d
(qm,hydr,aer,COD,SS)
(influent COD/TKN)
(qm,hydr,aer,COD,SS)
(influent COD/total
phosphorus)
(0.8) (qm,hydr,aer,PorgN,SS)
(0.8) (qm,hydr,aer,PP,SS)
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
1.77
5.71
0.31
0.022
56
1.77
5.71
0.31
0.022
48
0.25
1.0
For pre-anx
For pre-anx
Note b
Note b
Note b
Note c
Note c
Note d
Decay rate
12
0.005
0.005
day21
(0.5)(anoxic rate)(0.5)
Note b
Note d
Anaerobic
kd,Hana
Hydrolysis rate
Autotrophs in MLVSS
Nitrosomonas or ammonia-oxidizing bacteria
um,NH4N-Nitr,SS
qm,NH4N-Nitr,SS
YN1
kd,N1
KDO,nitr,SS
KN,nitr,SS
444
0.43
8.51
0.05
0.023
0.43
8.51
0.05
0.023
1
1
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
e
b
c
c
c
c
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
Note
b
b
f
b
b
g
b
b
f
f
b
b
b
48
56
21
14
19.3
19.3
1.8
9.4
2.1
48
48
4.0
2.0
21
14
19.3
19.3
4.0
2.0
1.8
9.4
2.1
mg/L SCODbio
mg/L SCODbio
mg/L dissolved oxygen
mg/L dissolved oxygen
kg COD/1000 m2/d
kg COD/1000 m2/d
mg/L SCODbio
mg/L SCODbio
mg/L dissolved oxygen
mg/L NH4N
kg/1000 m2/d
mg/L SCODbio
mg/L NH4N
Table 1(Continued)
T
Aerobic COD hydrolysis rates by biofilm
fN
fCOD
Value measured
20% of qmaer,COD,bf
Nitrogen in biomass
COD in biomass
0.12
1.42
Default
Units/formula
Reference
kg COD/1000 m /d
Note h
mg-N/mg VSS
mg COD/mg VSS
Note b
Note b
Model is structured such that the modeler can use observed values instead of the default values for kinetic coefficients and when
observed values are available.
b
Unless mentioned, these values were determined from continuous-flow bench-scale pilot studies operated in activated sludge, IFAS, and
MBBR modes (Sen, 1995).
c
Literature referenced: Barker and Dold (1997); Marais and Ekama (1976); Randall et al. (1992); Wentzel et al. (1991).
d
Maximum hydrolysis rate should be refined by calibrating model results to operating data.
e
The value of 0.43 day21 was determined by calibrating the model to the performance of the bench-scale activated sludge system operated
at different MLSS MCRTs.
f
Hem et al. (1994); Huhtamaki and Sen (2007); Odegaard (2005b); Weiss et al. (2005).
g
Based on ratio of maximum substrate utilization rates under preanoxic and aerobic conditions. The value must be corrected for post-anoxic
cells.
h
For aerobic hydrolysis by biofilm, substitute qmaer,COD,bf for qm,H,aer,SS in the equation for MLVSS; all other hydrolysis equations for the biofilm
are related to this equation based on a form similar to the equations for hydrolysis with MLVSS.
Where
fN 5 fraction of nitrogen in the
biomass (MLVSS) synthesized (default value of 0.12);
CODu,aer,SS,n and CODu,anx,SS,n 5 COD used by MLVSS under
aerobic and anoxic conditions,
respectively, in cell n (kg/d);
and
YAH,aerSS and YAH,anxSS 5 actual biomass yields for aerobic and anoxic uptake of
COD by the suspended solids
(mg VSS/mg COD).
The variable YAH,BF (eq 10) 5 actual biomass yield for heterotrophs
in the biofilm (mg VSS/mg COD). Heterotrophic biomass production is discussed in the section titled Biomass Production.
The variable DN,n (kg/d) 5 NH4N uptake by heterotrophic yield
of the biofilm in cell n, as follows:
DN;n CODu;bf;n YAH;BF g fN
May 2008
10
Unlike NH4N uptake rates by MLVSS, A,n,N and D,n.N, are the
measured net decay of autotrophic and heterotrophic biomass in the
biofilms, respectively. The Ndecay,n is the nitrogen released from
biomass in MLVSS (kg/m3) as a result of decay in cell n. When the
dissolved oxygen concentration is above the threshold that represents aerobic conditions, the form of the equation is as follows:
Ndecay; n kg=d fN kdH;aerT MLVSS Vn 1 BVFn
11
12
Table 2Matrix showing equations for heterotrophs and the interrelationship of kinetic coefcients for the mixed liquor
in each cell of reactor (X 5 MLVSS).
SO2
XN
SS
SN
XH
(dissolved
(X [12fnitr]) (X fnitr) (SCODbio) (NH4N) oxygen)
Heterotrophs
using
dissolved
oxygen
Heterotrophs
using NO3N
AOB (N1) using
dissolved
oxygen
NOB (N2) using
dissolved
oxygen
AOB 1 NOB
(if YN1 5 YN2
and eff
NO2N 5 0)
21
YHaer
2fN
21
YHanx
2fN
SNO3N
(NO3N)
212fCOD YHaer
YHaer
YHaer[qm,H,aer,SS
212fCOD YHanx
2:86 YHanx
21
YN1
23:4312fN YN1
YN1
2fN
21:14
YN2
21
YN1
N YN1
2 fN 24:5712f
YN1
21
YN1
13
14
15
16
Where
ECPorgN 5 concentration of particulate organic nitrogen in the
effluent from cell n (mg/L), and
Qeff,n 5 effluent flow from cell n (m3/d).
The particulate organic nitrogen gets hydrolyzed to soluble organic
nitrogen. The soluble organic nitrogen is then converted (deamminated) to ammonium-nitrogen. The effluent soluble organic nitrogen
(ESorgN) is computed as follows:
ISorgN Porg Nhydr;SS;n Porg Nhydr;bf;n
ESorgN Sorg Nhydr;SS;n Sorg Nhydr;bf;n
17
SNOxNn
KH;DO;i;SS
SCODbio;n
KH;NOxN;SS 1SNOxNn KH;S;anx;SS 1SCODbio;n KH;DO;i;SS 1SO2n
Vn(12BVFn) (12fNitr)Xn]
Vn(12BVFn) fNitrXn]
21
YN2
YHanx[qm,H,anx,SS
SO2n
SCODbio;n
KH;DO;SS 1SO2n KH;S;aer;SS 1SCODbio;n
SO2n
SNn
YN1[qm,NH4N2Nitr,SS KDO;nitr;SS
1SO2n KN;nitr;SS 1SNn
3 Vn 1 BVFn MLVSSn
2 YN1[qm,NH4N2Nitr,SS
SO2n
SNn
KDO;nitr;SS 1SO2n KN;nitr;SS 1SNn
Vn(12BVFn) fNitrXn]
18
Table 3Matrix showing equations for heterotrophs and biolm ux associated with the biolm in each cell in the
semiempirical biolm model.*
XH
(X [12fnitr])
Heterotrophs using
dissolved oxygen
Heterotrophs
using NO3N
AOB (N1) using
dissolved oxygen
NOB (N2) using
dissolved oxygen
AOB 1 NOB (if
YN1 5 YN2 and
eff NO2N 5 0)
XN
(X fnitr)
SS
(SCODbio)
21
YHaer
21
YHanx
SN
(NH4N)
2fN
SO2
(dissolved
oxygen)
212fCOD YHaer
YHaer
YHaer[qm,aer,COD,bf
212fCOD YHanx
2:86 YHanx
2fN
SO2n
SCODbio;n
KDO;H;aer;bf 1SO2n KS;H;aer;bf 1SCODbio;n
K
H;DO;i;bf
YHanx[qm,anx,COD,bf KH;DO;i;bf
1SO2
23:4312fN YN1
YN1
2fN
21:14
YN2
21
YN2
21
YN1
24:5712fN YN1
YN1
21
YN1
2 YN1[qm,NH4N2Nitr,bf
Vn Mn]
SNOxNn
SCODbio;n
KS;H;anx;bf 1SCODbio;n KNOxN;bf 1SNOxNn
SO2n
SNn
YN1[qm,NH4N2Nitr,bf KDO;nitr;bf
1SO2n KN;nitr;bf 1SNn
21
YN1
2 fN
SNO3N
(NO3N)
Vn Mn]
Vn Mn]
SO2n
SNn
KDO;nitr;bf 1SO2n KN;nitr;bf 1SNn
Vn Mn]
* The value of qm,aer,COD,bf and qm,anx,COD,bf are computed using eqs 19 and 21, respectively.
The value of qm,NH4N2Nitr,bf is computed using eq 4 or 6.
Equations 4, 6, 19, and 21 are similar to Monod equations. The Monod expression takes into account the change in biofilm flux for SCODbio and
NH4N as a result of external substrate concentrations and the associated changes in the biofilm thickness and fraction of nitrifiers.
continuous-flow reactor cells, an empirical relationship was developed to relate qm,COD,bf to SCODbio (Figure 3), as follows:
qm;aer;COD;bf
AS;aer SCODbio
BS;aer SCODbio
19
Where
AS,aer 5 21 kg/1000 m2 of biofilm surface/d, and
BS,aer 5 19.3 mg/L SCODbio.
Equation 18 shows that the rate changes with biodegradable
soluble COD (SCODbio,n) and dissolved oxygen (SO2,n) in cell n. The
default value of the half-saturation constant for COD, KS,H,aer,bf 5 48
mg/L COD at 128C; this is equal to the value of KSHaer,SS measured
for biomass in MLSS in the pilot studies (Table 1).
The default value of the half-saturation constant for dissolved
oxygen, KDO,H,aer,bf, at 258C 5 4 mg/L dissolved oxygen. It is set at
the same level as used for nitrification in the biofilm.
qm;anx;COD;bf
AS;anx SCODbio
BS;anx SCODbio
20
21
Figure 3COD uptake rates for biolm in IFAS and MBBR systems (DO 5 dissolved oxygen).
May 2008
447
NOxN. The current version treats all of the NOxN as NO3N and
nitrification kinetics as the kinetics of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.
The code is structured to allow for future separation of the two forms.
The value for AS,anx is based on the ratio of maximum substrate
utilization rates for heterotrophs in the MLVSS under preanoxic and
aerobic conditions (qmHanx SS/qmHaer SS). The default value recommended for the half-saturation constant for dissolved oxygen inhibition, KH,DO,i,bf, at 128C 5 2 mg/L dissolved oxygen (Table 1).
The default value of COD, KS,H,bf,anx, at 128C 5 48 mg/L COD,
which is the same recommended for aerobic conditions. Measurements in the pilot units indicated that the actual value may be
slightly higher (Table 1, 56 mg/L). The default value half-saturation
constant of NOxN, KNOxN,bf, at 258C 5 1 mg/L NOxN.
As with the biofilm, the COD can be taken up anoxically and
aerobically by the suspended solids. The model allows for simultaneous aerobic and anoxic uptake of COD in a reactor. The user
has the option to modify the code and switch one form of uptake off
in each reactor.
Equations 22 and 23 calculate the aerobic (A1,S,n) and anoxic
(A2,S,n) uptake of COD by the suspended solids in reactor n, as
follows:
CODu;aer;ss A1;S;n qm;H;aer;SS
3
SO2n
KH;DO;SS SO2n
SCODbio;n
KH;S;aer;SS SCODbio;n
3 Vn 1 BVFn 1 fNitr Xn
24
Where
22
SNOxNn
KH;NOxN;SS SNOxNn
SCODbio;n
KH;DO;i;SS
KH;S;anx;SS SCODbio;n KH;DO;i;SS SO2n
3 Vn 1 BVFn 1 fNitr Xn
23
In,S and En,s 5 influent and effluent kg/d of SCODbio for cell n,
and
Sdecay,n 5 COD released through the decay of MLVSS (kg/d).
A corresponding term for COD release through decay of the biofilm
was not included, because the COD flux in eqs 19 and 21 are net of
decay. The COD flux in the biofilm diffusional model (Sen and
Randall, 2008a) is also net of decay.
Sdecay;n kg=d fCOD kdH;aerT MLVSS Vn 1 BVFn 25
Where
qm,H,aer,SS and qm,H,anx,SS 5 maximum COD uptake rates for
heterotrophs in the MLVSS at temperature T (mg COD/mg VSS/d);
KH,DO,SS and KH,S,aer,SS 5 half-saturation constants for dissolved oxygen and COD for the
heterotrophs in the MLVSS during
aerobic uptake of COD at temperature T;
KH,NOxN,SS and KH,S,anx,SS 5 half-saturation constants for NOxN
and COD for the heterotrophs in
the MLVSS during anoxic uptake
of COD at temperature T; and
KH,DO,i,SS 5 half-inhibition constant for denitrification, expressed as mg/L dissolved oxygen.
The value for qm,H,aer,SS measured at 128C was 8.72 mg COD taken
up per milligram heterotrophic VSS per day (Table 1). This is in
agreement with the value 12.8 per day at 258C and a temperature
adjustment coefficient of 1.03 (Barker and Dold, 1997; Randall
et al., 1992; Wentzel et al., 1991). The values of h for heterotrophs
in the literature vary from less than 1.03 to 1.07 (Marais and Ekama,
1976; Wentzel et al., 1991).
448
Where
fCOD 5 COD content of biomass (with a default value of 1.42 mg
COD/mg VSS), and
Shydr,n 5 amount of unassimilated particulate COD converted to
SCODbio in cell n (kg/d).
The structure of the equations for hydrolysis is similar to eqs 13
to 16.
The half-saturation constant (KS,EA,hydr,SS and KS,EA,hydr,SS) is
10 mg/L of particulate COD for EA 5 aerobic, anoxic, or anaerobic
conditions.
The values of maximum hydrolysis rates for particulate COD by
biomass in MLVSS and biofilm are presented in Table 1. As in the
case of nitrogen, these were derived by analyzing the substrate
profiles in the pilot-scale units and refined based on the predictions
in full-scale MBBRs operated at low temperatures (less than 108C).
Biomass Production. The amount of heterotrophs and nitrifiers generated as a result of COD removal and nitrification is
computed for the MLSS and biofilm. This computation is performed
for each cell n. The sum total for all n cells is the total biomass
production.
The user has to specify an MLSS MCRT for the computation. The
model uses information on the plant configuration, such as anaerobic,
Water Environment Research, Volume 80, Number 5
Table 4Reference table of suggested yields, YH,bf and YN1,bf (generated by running the biolm diffusional model or
from pilot studies).
Based on runs
of the biolm 1D
model or from
experiments
SCODbio
NH4N range
Anaerobic
Aerobic
Lower mg/L
Upper mg/L
20
5
1
0.1
5
1
0.1
200
19
4.9
0.99
20
4.9
0.9
0.25
0.2
0.18
0.16
0.35
0.25
0.22
0.2
0.05
0.045
0.04
26
27
Anoxic
29
30
31
32
This biomass is the quantity sloughed off the biofilm and released
into the MLVSS. The COD used by the biofilm in reactor cell n is
computed by eqs 18 (CODu,bf,aer) and 20 (CODu,bf,anx). For the
semiempirical model, the biofilm yield in cell n, YH,bf,n (flux of
heterotroph out of the biofilm for each unit flux of COD into the
biofilm per day) must be specified as an external input. Its value
can be determined by running the biofilm diffusional model in
conjunction with the semiempirical model. Alternatively, it may be
based on measurements made during pilot studies, from a data table
included as part of the semiempirical model or on data from the
manufacturer. The data table is a table of yields observed at different
SCODbio and NH4N concentrations. It is based on the results of
several runs made with the biofilm diffusional model (Table 4).
For nitrifiers, the computations are similar to heterotrophs.
Equation 32 is modified for nitrifiers, as follows:
Nitrifier biomass generated by biofilm in cell n;
BXN;n NH4 Nu;bf;n YN1;bf;n NO2 Nu;bf;n YN2;bf;n
33
Where
BXN,n 5 amount of nitrifiers sloughed off the biofilm and
released into the mixed liquor (kg/d);
NH4Nu,bf,n 5 computed by eq 1;
449
35
Where
n 5 number of reactor cells in operation.
The biomass yield and decay are computed as shown in eqs 26 to 34.
As mentioned earlier, the value of fnitr calculated during each
iteration is fed back into the next model run.
It is important to understand that, unlike activated sludge systems
operating below the threshold (washout) MLSS MCRT, where the
fnitr can be close to zero because of washout of nitrifiers, the IFAS
(and MBBR) system can have a significant fnitr, even when the
MLSS MCRTs are below the washout MCRT of single-cell activated sludge systems. This is because of biofilm nitrification and
nitrifiers sloughed off the biofilm. These nitrifiers become part of
the MLVSS, until it is wasted from the system or released in the
effluent.
Second, it is important to appreciate how the fnitr plays slightly
different roles in IFAS and MBBR systems. In IFAS, the nitrifier
population in the MLVSS can make a significant contribution to the
overall nitrification, even when operated well below the washout
MLSS MCRT. However, in the MBBR, which has a very low
MLVSS and the MLSS MCRT 5 nominal HRT of the liquid,
the MLVSS does not maintain a significant population of nitrifiers.
450
NOxNu;anx;bf;n ; BNOxN;u;n
CODu;anx;bf;n
DN COD Factor
36
NOxNu;anx;bf;n ; ANOxN;u;n
CODu;anx;SS;n
DN COD Factor
37
34
Where
It is for this reason that IFAS systems show a lower activated sludge
tank volume requirement compared with MBBRs when designed
with the same biofilm surface area. However, IFAS systems need
sludge volume index control and, possibly, higher clarifier surface
areas.
Denitrification. The NOxN denitrified by the biofilm (NOxNu,anx,bf,n 5 BNOxN,u,n) and the MLVSS (NOxNu,anx,SS,n 5
ANOxN,u,n) are computed as follows:
NO3N
38
DN COD factor
NO2N
39
40
41
The variables BN,n and AN,n are the NH4N uptake rates in the biofilm
and MLVSS and are computed by eqs 1 and 7, respectively. The
nitrifier biomass yield for the biofilm (BXN,n) is computed by eq 34.
The interrelationship of the kinetic expressions for NOxN are
represented in a matrix format in Tables 2 and 3.
The effluent NOxN (ENOxN,n) load from reactor n (kg/d) is
determined based on the influent NOxN load (INOxN,n), nitrification,
and denitrification in the MLVSS and biofilm, as follows:
INOxN;n BNOxNNitr;n ANOxNNitr;n
ANOxN;u;n BNOxN;u;n ENOxN;n
42
43
44
45
IDO,n
The values of DDO,n are input by the user. One way to determine
DDO,n is to run the model and determine the value that results in
a computed dissolved oxygen in the unaerated cell that is equal to
the measured dissolved oxygen level.
For each unaerated cell, the model checks the mass balance in eq
45, based on an initial estimate of dissolved oxygen that is specified
by the user. If the oxygen supplied is not within a certain percentage
of the uptake (default 5 20%), the model guides the user to change
the estimated dissolved oxygen level until the supply and uptake are
within 20%. For example, if the oxygen supplied is more than 20%
higher than the uptake, the user is asked to raise the estimate of
dissolved oxygen. The model is rerun for the new estimate.
For the aerated cells, the model computes the amount of dissolved oxygen that needs to be transferred, Tn,DO, to achieve the
dissolved oxygen set point. The model checks the value of Tn,DO
against the capacity of the aeration system in cell n. If the value is
exceeded, the model guides the user to lower the setpoint or raise
the capacity.
Storage in Reactor Cell in Dynamic Simulation Mode. For
dynamic simulation, an additional term for storage between the
current time step t and time step t21 needs to be incorporated to the
mass-balance equations. Storage is important if the duration of
the time step of dynamic simulation is less than the actual HRT of
the cell. Therefore, storage can have a significant effect in long HRT
systems, such as oxidation ditches and lagoons. On the other hand,
when the time step is greater than 3 times the actual HRT of the cell,
the time step is too long for the effect of storage to linger on. The
effluent would have reached an equilibrium with the new flow and
load well before the time step ends. The model uses an algorithm to
account for the relationship between actual HRT and duration of the
time step.
When the duration of the time step is less than one-half the actual
HRT of cell n, the effect of storage modifies the NH4N computation
in eq 8, as follows:
In Ndecay;n NorgN;hydr;n An Bn Cn En Sn;t
46
The units of the eq 46 are kg/time step. For example, if the time step
is 1 hour, the units are kg/h. As the time step increases above the
actual HRT of cell n, the effect of storage drops gradually, to 0.
The variable Sn,t is the storage of ammonium-nitrogen that takes
place in cell n because of the change in effluent ammonium
concentration at the current time step t (En,t ) and the previous time
step t21 (En,t21). Its value, in kilograms, is calculated as follows:
Sn;t En;t En;t1 Vn 1 BVF
3
47
May 2008
Nitrogen Removal in a Stabilization Pond Treatment Plant. Proceedings of the 78th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical
Exposition and Conference [CD-ROM], Washington D.C., Oct. 29
Nov. 2; Water Environment Federation: Alexandria, Virginia,
38893904.
Wentzel, M. C., Ekama, G. A.; Marais, G. v. R. (1991) Kinetics of
Nitrification Denitrification Biological Excess Phosphorus Removal
SystemsA Review. Water Sci. Technol., 23, 555565.
453