SBR System for Phosphorus Removal: ASM2 and Simplified Linear Model

An SBR (sequencing batch reactor) system was evaluated for nutrient removal. The system is capable of removing 95% of influent PO3-4, or from 6.7 to 0.4 mg P/L, with the addition of acetate of 120-150 mg COD/L in the feed solution (primary effluent). Nitrification was also achieved within the preset aeration cycle time in reducing the effluent ammonia level from 16.3-19.8 mg N/L to 0.2-0.3 mg N/L. However, denitrification was incomplete due to a slower endogenous nitrate respiration rate in the idle period, resulting in an effluent nitrate level of 7-8 mg N/L. A linear version of the ASM2 (Activated Sludge Model No. 2) was developed to model the performance of an SBR system for nutrient removal. The developed model appropriately predicts the dynamic behavior of the SBR system with respect to phosphate release/uptake, nitrification, ammonification, and denitrification. Compared with the full ASM2, the calibration of model parameters and model simulation require less computational time for practical implementation of the linear model into a process control system for the SBR.