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Bosklopper, Th.G.J.*, Rietveld, L.C.**, Babuska, R. **, Smaal, B.*** and Timmer,
J.****
Abstract Water treatment plants are in general robust and designs are based on the
performance of individual processes with pre-set boundary conditions. It is assumed that an
integral approach of the entire treatment plant can lead to more efficient operation. Taking
into account the developments in sensoring, automation and computation, it is a challenge to
improve quality and reliability of the treatment plants and to make maximal use of the installed
infrastructure, postponing new investments.
At Amsterdam Water Supply (AWS), the first steps are taken to come to an integral dynamic
model of the total water treatment plant and the use of this model as an instrument for integral
control. The parameters influencing the performance of the water treatment process will be
incorporated in an overall model evaluating the goal factors quality (good, constant and
reliable), quantity, costs, environmental impact (low residuals level), redundancy and
flexibility. For several individual processes at AWS models have already been developed
during the last few years, like models for the ozone process, biological activated carbon
filtration and pellet softening. For the final calibration and validation pilot reactors are
automated and on-line data are collected. Criteria for evaluation are developed to realise an
optimal control of the individual processes in interaction with the goal factors of the total
treatment process.
Background
To guarantee a high drinking water quality, extensive quality monitoring of the source and
effluent of drinking water plants is performed. In case the water quality does not meet the
guidelines, the operation of the treatment is changed on basis of operator knowledge and
experience. The quality of drinking water is influenced by day-to-day decisions of individual
operators and operation is therefore sub-optimal.
Drinking water quality is defined in national and international guidelines.
Investments, however, are made for periods of about 30 years and during this period the
guidelines are subject to changes. Therefore, projections are made for future demand and
extra safety factors are introduced during the design. Consequently water treatment plants are
in general robust and over-sized. In addition, the designs are based on the performance of
[1]
2 Book title
Figure 1 The process scheme of the drinking water production plant of Weesperkarspel
Water from the Bethune Polder, sometimes mixed with water from the Amsterdam Rhine
Canal (ARC), is coagulated with ferric chloride in an horizontal settling tank, resulting in the
removal of suspended solids, phosphate, and heavy metals. The quality of the water
improves further, due to sedimentation, biodegradation and other auto-purification processes
in a reservoir of 130 hectares and a retention time of 100 days. With rapid sand filtration the
reservoir water is pre-treated (removal of ammonium, suspended solids, algae) before it is
transported to the Weesperkarspel production plant.
The first process in the post-treatment is ozonation to increase biodegradability of the
organic carbon content of the water and for disinfection. Thereafter, pellet reactors are used
to reduce hardness and as a third step biological granular activated carbon filtration is applied
to remove DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon), AOC (Assimilable Organic Carbon) and
micro-pollutants. The last step in the treatment is slow sand filtration for further reduction of
suspended solids. This process is also the second important barrier in the treatment against
pathogens and especially important to remove persistent pathogens with low susceptibility
for ozone (Cryptosporidium).
(Shortened) paper title 3
In an issue of the Journal of American Water Works Association (February 2000) a Next
Generation Scenario for Water utilities was published. In almost all of the predictions the
anticipation of an improved on-line monitoring of water quality and an automated or
computer assisted operation were mentioned. Computer models would therefore be needed to
4 Book title
predict the quality of the source, the impact on the process, the quality of the product and the
required, most effective, control. A need for more intensive cooperation between process-
engineers and automation and ICT-engineers was also recognized.
As a consequence, the method for research should be changed from practical research to a
combination with fundamental model studies. The priorities and goals for research should be
made towards a more integral approach.
Amsterdam Water Supply implemented the change in research philosophy by setting up
the PROMICIT project started in January 2003.
Production/Intake conventional
1000
750
m3/h
500
250
0
0 6 12 18 24
Time [hours]
750
m3/h
500
250
0
0 6 12 18 24
Figure 3 Effects on the stabilization of the produced quantity using demand models.
The developed models are used for model based process control and will be implemented
in an automated pilot plant simulating the full-scale plant of WPK.
In the next paragraphs two examples of integrated modelling of a water treatment based
on the impact on water quality are showed. The next research goal is to integrate the quality
models with the models for quantity, cost and environment realizing an ultimate tool for
well-founded integrated decisions.
In cooperation with IHE-Unesco the environmental impact and the development of a cost
model is in progress. A LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) is executed in which a Life Cycle Cost
Analysis is incorporated (Castrejon 2004).
Coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation
Rapid filtration
Ozone
Softening
Acid dosing
Aeration
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Ready
Stim ela m odel [%]
Not ready
The crystallisation process is highly dependent on temperature, influent water quality and
dosing of chemicals. During low temperatures, the reaction rate is slow and crystallisation
occurs higher in the reactor.
Softening in a reactor is normally deeper than the required levels. Therefore, part of the
water can be by-passed and mixed with the effluent of the reactors. In general different
reactors are installed, to increase the reliability of the system and the flexibility in operation.
In case of flow changes, reactors can be switched on and off maintaining water velocities
between 60 and 100 m/h.
The mixture of the effluents of the reactors and the by-pass water must be chemically
stable to avoid crystallisation in the filters after the softening step. To determine optimal
operation of pellet softening reactors using caustic soda (NaOH), a model has been
developed.
It can already be concluded that modelling pellet softening will lead to a different
operation and change present practice. For example nowadays the control is mainly based on
head loss that is kept between 1.67 and 1.72 m (see figure 6). For cold water and high flows
through the reactor this pressure drop is well chosen (as upper boundary). However, for
different circumstances higher pressure drops can be allowed, resulting in more seeding
material in the reactor and thus a better performance (lower super-saturation of calcium
ions). For flows through a reactor of 300 m3/h, the pressure drop can be maintained between
2.3 and 2.9 m (depending on temperature), using maximally the installed capacity (see figure
6). It is expected in the near future, using real-time modelling and control, a decrease in
operational costs of 10% can be realised.
The quality of the by-pass flow is also subject to decision making. An adapted treatment
of the bypass flow can for example lead to lower super-saturation of calcium ions in the
mixed effluent. The interaction of the different treatment processes on the kinetics within the
softening process (DOC for instance) is also an integrated research goal.
(Shortened) paper title 7
2.9
2.7
Headloss dP (m)
2.5
2.3
2.1
1.9
1.7
1.5
300 350 400 450 500
Flow through reactor (m3/h)
DOC in BAC
8
5
DOC [mg C/l]
3 influent measured
EBCT 40 min measured, no ozone
EBCT 40 min measured, 1.5 mg/l ozone
2 influent simulated (interpolated)
EBCT 40 min simulated, 0% BDOC
1 EBCT 40 min simulated, 15% BDOC
EBCT 40 min simulated, 30% BDOC
EBCT 40 min simulated, 45% BDOC
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
simulation time in days
Conclusion
Automated, optimal integrated control is a challenge for AWS. With a case study on pellet
softening it was showed that considerable improvements in water quality and costs (decrease
in operational costs of 10%) can be reached when model predictive control is applied. This
will be further tested in an automated pilot plant in combination with the remaining
processes.
The case study for biological activated carbon (BAC) showed the positive effect of the
use of ozone on the amount of biodegradable components in the BAC and the extension of
the lifetime of the activated carbon. Nevertheless the used ozone concentration will be
limited by the side-effect of the formation of by-products like bromate.
Modelling and control will not only lead to better water quality and cost reduction, but
also to a more stable performance of the plant and a better understanding of the processes
and its interactions between the other goal factors e.g. quantity and environmental impact.
The models will be used for simulation of alternative scenarios and operator training,
improving the knowledge and insight in the treatment plant.
The models can be used for the efficient design of new water treatment plants.
AWS will communicate about the progress via internet: www.promicit.nl and
www.stimela.com.
(Shortened) paper title 9
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