Assessment of Parameters in the Simulation of an ANFLOW Municipal-Wastewater-Treatment Pilot Plant

摘要

An assessment of the parameters used in a computer program which dynamically models an anaerobic upflow (ANFLOW) bioreactor was performed. The problem was scrutinized for the proper interprethation of cited literature references, suitable documentation, applicability of assumptions, and agreement with pilot-plant data. Single-variable sensitivity analyses indicated tat increased bacterial loading can increase the removal of organic materials and that changes in decay rate constants greatly affect the operational stability of the bioreactor. These findings imply that a clearer understanding of the kinetics is essential for the program to quantitatively predict reactor performance. Correlation of tracer residence-time-distribution data by the Box optimization technique indicated that the reactor was best characterized as a series of three unequal-volume CSTRs with volume ratios of 1:3:6. (ERA citation 08:021450)