Modeling of novel processes for eliminating sidestreams impacts on full-scale sewage treatment plant using GPS-X7

Abstract

Abstract The novel process consisted of two steps was established by combining all sidestreams lines (supernatant gravity thickener, underflow mechanical thickener, and centrate), treating them together away from the mainstream treatment plant, and returning treated sidestreams effluents to the plant outfall instead of plant head. The two steps novelty treatment combined degradation, nitrification, and dilution processes. To treat combined sidestreams, a novel pilot extended nutrient moving bed biofilm reactor was developed. The effects of sidestream elimination on a full-scale anaerobic/anoxic/oxic system were simulated using GPS-X7. The statistical results of R values greater than 0.8 and NMSE values near zero proved the calibrated model’s validation. The novel system successfully removed 98, 93, 100, 85, 98, 100, and 98% of BOD, COD, NH4, NO3, TSS, H2S, and PO4-P from sidestreams, respectively. Furthermore, the simulation results showed that eliminating sidestreams has reduced volumes of full-scale A2/O facilities, controlled hydraulic and pollutants shocks, and minimized cost and energy. The novel process proved successful in treating combined sidestreams and eliminating their impacts on the A/O2 system.