Brightwork

The digester at the wastewater treatment works Amsterdam West is being fed by internal and external sludge sources. For Waternet a model has been made that analyses and optimizes the internal sludge logistics towards the digester with the goal to maximize the gas production.
Research has shown that the biogas production is negatively influenced by steep peaks in the amounts that are fed towards the digester. Simulations for this case have shown that using a method that smoothes these peaks gives more profit then a method that purely focuses on a specific minimal retention time of the sludge. The model can be used as a decision tool for operators to help optimize the sludge streams. The results of this study were an inducement to apply this model in their Purification Information System.