A mathematical programming framework for early stage design of wastewater treatment plants. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bozkurt, Hande; Quaglia, Alberto; Gernaey, Krist V.; Sin, Gürkan
• Is Part Of: Environmental modelling & software. Volume 64(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Design -- Modeling -- Superstructure optimization -- Wastewater treatment -- Process flow -- Interconnection; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Digital computer simulation -- Periodicals; Computer software -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Computer Simulation -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Écologie -- Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Simulation par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Logiciels -- Périodiques; Computer software; Digital computer simulation; Ecology -- Computer simulation; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70015118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.11.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-8152

Abstract

Abstract: The increasing number of alternative wastewater treatment technologies and stricter effluent requirements make the optimal treatment process selection for wastewater treatment plant design a complicated problem. This task, defined as wastewater treatment process synthesis, is currently based on expert decisions and previous experiences. This paper proposes a new approach based on mathematical programming to manage the complexity of the problem. The approach generates/identifies novel and optimal wastewater treatment process selection, and the interconnection between unit operations to create a process flow diagram. Towards this end, a superstructure approach is used to represent the treatment alternatives for reaction and separation. A generic process interval model is used to describe each alternative in terms of input–output mass balances including conversion and separation factors. Next the design problem is formulated as a Mixed Integer (Non)linear Programming problem – MI(N)LP – and solved. A case study is formulated and solved to highlight the application of the framework. Highlights: A mathematical programming based approach for municipal WWTP design is proposed. A superstructure based optimization framework is developed for WWT process selection. A generic process interval model was developed to represent the treatment alternatives. The application of the framework was tested on a carbon/nitrogen removal case study. The case study problem was solved for several economic objective functions.