The Use of Respirometry for the Control of Sequencing Batch Reactors – Principles and Practical Application

Abstract

Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR) are a popular choice for wastewater treatment. Proponents of the technology note that SBRs do not require secondary clarifiers, can be adapted to biological nutrient removal and have a smaller overall footprint than conventional activated sludge treatment.The authors of this paper would like to suggest a further advantage to SBR technology -that it is the most controllable treatment option. They argue that respirometry is the best technique for controlling an SBR. Based on several years' experience in developing online respirometers, the algorithms for SBR control are now available for implementation in the form of a new Smart Activated Sludge (SAS) controller. This paper presents the fundamental principles behind respirometric control of an SBR and insight into how this can be applied to a full-scale SBR.

Intelligent sequencing batch reactor control from theory, through modelling, to full-scale application

“…It has been described in several papers, presentations and workshops (Shaw & Watts 2002;Barnard et al 2003;Shaw 2003). The following is a brief description of its principles.…”

“…As two of the authors noted in a previous paper, "the SBR is the most controllable process option for wastewater treatment." (Shaw & Watts 2002) In practice, however, the phases and timings are usually fixed which in part may be attributed to the lack of measurements and control algorithms that make use of this inherent "controllability. "…”