Abstract:
With the UK water companies under increasing financial and environmental pressures
they are having to look for innovative options to provide lower capital and operational
cost solutions to asset management in order to maintain profits.
Process modelling provides a tool which can be used to help identify more cost
effective options through a better understanding of processes and their limitations.
Although modelling can be used in this way, sound judgement needs to be applied in
using models as misinterpretation of simulated results could lead to the wrong option
being selected.
Processes which combine fixed and suspended biomass have been used to improve the
performance of existing wastewater treatment works which previously had either a
fixed or a suspended growth process only. In addition to improved efficiency, the
processes have been found to be more robust.
Full scale trials of a fixed film / activated sludge hybrid process, supported by model
simulation, have shown that the hybrid process would enable a 120 000 PE sewage
treatment works to meet a new, stricter effluent discharge consent without the
construction of new tanks.