A method to use dynamic simulation in compliance to design rules to refine WWTP planning

The presented method aims to improve the current practice of using design procedures based on simplified steady-state assumptions for design of WWTP, by promotion of additionally use of dynamic simulation for the design refinement. This paper describes a consistent way to parameterise a dynamic simulation model in compliance with German design guidelines assuming a typical planning situation with limited information about influent composition and bio-degradability. The presented approach ensures equal sludge production and comparable nitrification and denitrification capacity of detailed simulation models compared to the results of the design guidelines. This eases the usage of dynamic simulation to refine the basic design with respect to treatment technology, equipment, automatic control and operation regimes. All results can be considered as compatible to the acknowledged design rules and may be used for the legal permission procedure of WWTP design. The work has been prepared within the framework of HSG-Sim (Hochschulgruppe Simulation, http://www.hsgsim.org), a group of researchers from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Poland, the Netherlands and Switzerland.