A generalized approach for dynamic modelling and simulation of biofilters: Application to waste-water denitrification

Abstract This contribution is devoted to the use of dynamic simulation as a support tool to improve the knowledge of biofilters in the general context of waste-water treatment. After a brief overview of current waste-water treatment techniques, a general approach for modelling and simulation of biofilters in transient states is presented. First of all, a comprehensive description of the development of the model, highlighting specific characteristics such as the active/deactivated biomass approach is presented; discussion of the different phenomena involved is then pursued. The resulting set of Partial Differential Algebraic Equations (PDAE), with the need for state event detection for filter clogging, is then solved using an extension of the Differential-Algebraic philosophy coupled with the method of lines. Finally, the validity of the general developed model, as well as the reliability of the numerical approach is illustrated through different case studies for denitrification purposes, with plant data comparison. It demonstrates the utility of dynamic simulation to speed up the development of the model phase and to improve basic knowledge in a new emerging area. © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.