Modelling the Activated Sludge Flocculation Process Using Population Balance Model (PBM)

This paper describes the application of population balance models to activated sludge flocculation process. It presents the development and selection of appropriate expressions for aggregation and breakage kinetics within the population balance framework to describe the evolution of mean size and steady state distribution of flocs under shear conditions. A size and velocity gradient dependent collision efficiency is introduced into the aggregation expression. In the model, only 2 parameters need to be estimated: collision efficiency coefficient and the breakage frequency coefficient. They are obtained by the "best fit" with the experimental data, and keep unchanged under different shear condition for the same flocs. The modelling results indicate that the population balance models coupled with suitable aggregation and breakage kinetics is appropriate for describing activated sludge flocculation dynamics.