Optimization and control of nitrogen removal activated sludge processes: A review of recent developments

The optimisation of biological nitrogen removal processes has attracted a lot of research in the past few years. Considerable achievements in not only optimised process operation and control but also improved process designs have resulted. In this paper, we review these new developments in light of the progress they represent towards the solution of the fundamental problems with biological nitrogen removal. It is emphasized that, while being able to find the optimal or sub-optimal tradeoffs between different objectives, on-line process control optimises a process within the constraints imposed by the process design. The integration of innovative process design and optimised process control represents the solution to the fundamental problems with biological nitrogen removal.

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