Study on Calibration of ASM1 for Carbon and Nitrogen Removals of Riqqa Activated Sludge System, Kuwait

Abstract

The second-largest wastewater treatment facility in Kuwait, the Riqqa plant, has recently displayed signs of operating in unsteady conditions. A study was recently carried out by Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research to assess plant performance and identify the most likely sources of the issue. The plant's activated sludge system was modelled using ASM1 in the SIMBA simulation package to accomplish these goals. In Kuwait, ASM1 was being used for the first time to simulate a full-scale activated sludge system.  This study uses routinely measured wastewater quality data over a long period of time to calibrate ASM1 to the carbon and nitrogen removals of the Riqqa activated sludge system. COD fractionation and early estimations of the calibration parameters were both aided by respirometer analysis.  Validation results showed agreement between the measured and simulated effluent COD, NH₄-N and NO₃-N over long-term dynamic simulation. The developed model can be used in the evaluation and diagnosis of the system performance. Also, obtained values of ASM1 parameters will be useful in modelling other activated sludge systems in the country and the region.