| dc.description.abstract | Wastewater treatment by activated sludge is widely adopted worldwide, including in Brazil, being a robust and reliable alternative, capable of producing a highquality effluent. Therefore, a mathematical model capable of simulating the operation of a sewage treatment plant (WWTP) on a full scale is relevant, being useful for monitoring, improving and optimizing resources, as well for decision making regarding new investments. The IWA ASM models are recognized worldwide, among which the ASM3 stand out, embracing the removal of carbon, nitrogenous and suspended solids. Its application, however, requires the availability of data that is obtained with intensive use of the laboratory for testing samples, which are not always feasible at most stations. The present work proposed the simulation of the operation of a full-scale WWTP from common operational data and standard monitoring tests to a limited number of samples, using ASM3, being selected the São João-Navegantes WWTP, located in Porto Alegre/Brazil. Sample collections were carried out for 24 hours in three seasons – winter, spring and summer –, aiming to obtain heterogeneous affluent profiles. COD fractions was achieved through the STOWA protocol, with some necessary modifications for the present case. After configuring the model, the simulations were performed in stationary mode for calibration and in dynamic mode for validation. For comparison with the actual data, averages for the results obtained between 48 and 96 hours in simulations were calculated for each evaluated parameter. For the final effluent, the error for nitrogen forms and alkalinity in modulus resulted below 1 mg/L, for the three seasons in which the tests were set. For COD and TSS, in general, the error was between 5 and 10 mg/L. In addition, in a stationary mode, COD error was smaller than 5 mg/L in the spring and summer campaigns. In dynamic mode, COD error was smaller than 5 mg/L in spring, and for TSS, smaller than 5 mg/L in summer. It was concluded that the methodology used allowed the application of ASM3 with results within an acceptable error range for the monitored parameters, compatible with the current standards for treated effluent and with the context of WWTP, with due regard for the limitations of the model itself and of the methods used. | en |
