Simulation of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Designed on a Flow Sheet

José Carlos Becerra Escobedo

Abstract

The residual water results from the alteration of the physicochemical parameters of clean water; so the latter's vocation is lost. The scarcity and importance of this resource requires its immediate recovery by applying the most appropriate corrective procedure. The tertiary wastewater treatment removes traces of organic and inorganic matter. Although effective, this cleaning step is expensive. The simulation of processes helps in the study of the external and internal changes of a system, by altering its variables in a controlled way. ASPEN is a simulator used to model conceptual design, optimization and monitoring processes. The purpose of this work has been to design a flow sheet in Aspen Plus, as well as that of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) from an innovative perspective. This study addresses the development of the tertiary treatment of a WWTP in the commercial simulator Aspen Plus V8.8, including the following stages: nitrification tank, chlorination tank, decanter, filter for sludge, and dryer for sludge. The flows resulting from the process obtained through this simulation show the efficiency of the proposed tertiary treatment. However, we recommend the emphasis on the search for simulation in the design of WWTP that favors the optimization of its operation, in favor of the care and conservation of clean water, an invaluable resource.

Abstract

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