About WOBeS
In the BMBF project WOBeS three research groups are working together in the field of wastewater technology. The research project is based on the idea of reducing energy consumption in wastewater treatment by optimizing design, operation and process control of aeration systems.
In the area of process control, potentials for an improved adaptation of the sludge age are seen. The intensity of aeration could be decreased and at the same time the organic load of the digestion could be increased. Two-stage activated sludge plants offer an ideal object of study, since within such a plant two separate biocenoses with two different sludge ages are present. The different influences on the aeration process can thus be examined under the same boundary conditions. Studies are carried out with a mobile container pilot plant to determine the oxygen transfer during biological wastewater treatment. The aim of the research project is to increase the energetic efficiency in the dimensioning and control of aeration systems. Continuous off-gas measurements are carried out with the pilot plant. With the recorded data the oxygen transfer efficiency can be determined accompanying the operation of the activated sludge tank. Besides daily fluctuations in the oxygen transition, seasonal fluctuations can also be recorded.
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The aeration pilot plant is set up next to the aeration tanks to be examined. -
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Sludge transferpumps continuously pump activated sludge to the experimental reactors. -
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The experimental reactors are accessible via a manhole for maintenance work on the aeration system. -
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The off-gas is fed to a process gas analyzer to determine the oxygen transfer efficiency. -
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Cabling of the online measurement sensors installed in the experimental reactors. -
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With the switch cabinet all aggregates are controlled and the measuring data is stored. -
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Sludge samplers are used for accompanying sampling of the examined activated sludge. -
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The pilot plant is operated at one and two-stage aeration tanks with different process control.
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Optimization of material and layout of technical parameters of aeration elements
The energetic efficiency of aeration systems depends not only on the oxygen transfer of as fine air bubbles as possible, but also on the pressure loss in diffuser elements. In a subproject, the material and layout properties of membrane diffuser elements are examined using methods from silicone glass façade construction. The material behaviour of diffusers for wastewater treatment is studied by tensile and inflation tests under uni- and biaxial load and correlated with wastewater technical parameters in order to identify material properties for an energetically efficient operation.
Photogrammetric examination of the bubble surface in the activated sludge tank
In a further subproject, a scientific method for recording and evaluating the bubble pattern on the tank surface using a UAV-supported imaging system is to be developed. This will make it possible to evaluate the performance of diffuser elements quickly and cost-effectively without having to interfere with the regular operation of a wastewater treatment plant and to be able to initiate appropriate maintenance measures in good time.
