Parameter Estimation in Biokinetic Degradation Models in Wastewater Treatment-A Novel Approach Relevant for Micropollutant Removal

In this paper a novel methodology for estimating the parameters for an extended biokinetic model (Peev, Schonerklee, and De Wever, Water Science and Technology, 2004) of micropollutant removal in wastewater treatment is presented. In particular, the work concentrates on parameter estimation of the micropollutant degradation sub-model by specialised microorganisms in the case when only substrate measurement data are available. We have proven the structural identifiability of the model and have developed a new approach allowing practical identifiability on the basis of multiple substrate degradation curves with different initial concentrations. Experimental and related numerical methods for unambiguous parameter estimation have been developed. Finally, by means of simulated pseudo-experiments we have found convincing indications that the proposed algorithm is stable and yields appropriate parameter estimates even in unfavourable regimes.