Practical review of modelling and simulation applications at full-scale wastewater treatment plants

Mathematical models have been used since the development of the activated sludge process for wastewater treatment plant (WWTPs) performance predictions. Due to their increasing complexity, specific simulation platforms are usually required to solve the equations included in these models. Nowadays, although commercial simulators are available for designers and plant operators, their use is not highly extended in full-scale WWTPs. Literature describing new models is continuously published but there is still an important mismatch between academic research and the real knowledge and capabilities of wastewater professionals. However, it is expected that simulators, together with data-driven models play a fundamental role in the daily exploitation of WWTPs in the near future and for that reason, this work summarizes ten practical applications of simulations to improve WWTPs performance, with the purpose of bringing engineers and operators closer to the benefits of these tools. WEST commercial simulator was selected for this purpose and selected applications include aeration analysis, reagents dosification, biomass inoculation, control loops comparison or evaluation of the benefits of including selectors or a regulation tank prior to the bioreactor. Showing the results of these simulations and their help for decision making, it is expected to encourage engineers in private companies and public organizations to feel confidence in the use of these software.