| dc.description.abstract | The increasing demand for clean water due to population growth, urbanization, and industrialization has led to greater emphasis on efficient wastewater treatment systems. As this is crucial for reducing the harmful effects of wastewater on human health and the environment. This paper focuses on the examination of biological processes, specifically nitrification and denitrification, in a sequential batch reactor (SBR) system for improved understanding and process control. This research utilizes modelling and simulation using the GPS-X software to assess the performance of the modelled SBR system under different operational settings. The SBR models in GPS-X was based on a real SBR operating at the WWTP Knarrdalstrand, Porsgrunn, Norway. SBR models in GPS-X was developed for ammonia removal in a simple and advanced model type, where the advanced SBR model was more effective than the simple SBR model. The advanced SBR model’s ammonia removal efficiency decreased with a lower dissolved oxygen (DO) setpoint, and its nitrification rate was affected by temperature and pH. Simulations showed variation in the time it took for the model to stabilize with the ammonia removal efficiency at different DO setpoints, but little variation was observed once the process had stabilized. The advanced SBR model had the highest nitrogen removal efficiency (74.55%) at a DO setpoint of 1.5 mg/L, resulting in the highest denitrification rate occurring of all DO setpoints simulated. All the simulations showed high nitrite accumulation, likely due to NOB being suppressed by the process. This research highlights the importance of accurate representation of physical characteristics in modelling and the need for further investigations to optimize simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in the SBR model. While also highlighting the potential for operational cost reduction through further optimization of dissolved oxygen levels. | |