Reducing treatment plant operational costs through dynamic simulation modelling and online instrumentation

This study investigates the application of a structured optimization process involving preliminary investigations, appropriate instrumentation, testing, and dynamic simulation software for the reduction of electricity usage and alum dosing at full scale nutrient removal plants.

This approach was used at Port Macquarie, a large town of 39,000 people (circa 2006) located on the Mid– North coast of New South Wales (NSW) roughly 390km north of Sydney and 570km south of Brisbane. The Port Macquarie WWTP optimization resulted in approximate cost reductions of 40% in electricity consumption and 80% in alum dosing and alum sludge disposal for their trial reactor.