An Automatically Controlled Alternate OxicAnoxic ... - ACS Publications

that a small wastewater treatment plant (or a network of small plants) can be managed by a feasible and reliable process control device to allow remot...
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Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2003, 42, 509-515

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An Automatically Controlled Alternate Oxic-Anoxic Process for Small Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants P. Battistoni,*,† A. De Angelis,‡ R. Boccadoro,† and D. Bolzonella§ Institute of Hydraulics, University of Ancona, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy, Gorgovivo, Water and Wastewater Treatment Company, Ancona, Italy, and Department of Science and Technology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy

A patented automatic control device was applied to management of an alternate oxic-anoxic process in a small wastewater treatment plant (700 PE). The control system enabled the optimal time-length of the aerobic and anoxic phases to be determined by analyzing the dissolved oxygen and the oxidation-reduction potential data. Moreover, also a time set point was introduced to establish the maximum length for the two phases. Results showed high performances in biological nitrogen removal (0.7-5.2 mg of NO3-N L-1 in the effluent) and a reliable control of the treatment process also during wet weather events. In comparison with extended aeration plants of similar size, lower energetic consumption was observed, generally