Control strategies of wastewater treatment plants

Abstract

The objective of the current study is to investigate various control strategies implemented to wastewater treatment plants. The paper starts with discussion in modeling part of wastewater system and continues with designation of control objectives and control parameters. Subsequently, the implementations of common control structures including feedback, feedforward-feedback, supervisory and hierarchical controls are explained. The study is exclusively emphasized on four control techniques. Model predictive control performs superior control in optimizing nitrogen removal based on predictions of future behavior of wastewater systems. The performances of PID control in dissolve oxygen and nitrate control is improved significantly with multivariable configuration. Similar results achieved by data-driven approach compared to default PI simulation. Finally, artificial neural networks are commonly suggested for modeling and prediction purposes. A study is emphasized on Benchmark Simulation Model No. 1. The paper serve as a reference and for future research improvements in developing new advanced control techniques for wastewater field that aims in achieving stringenteffluent quality standards.