Wastewater Operator Training

GPS-X is the most advanced tool for the mathematical modeling, control, optimization and management of wastewater treatment plants. GPS-X offers a user-friendly, robust, customizable, high speed platform with calibrated models and the most comprehensive suite of unit processes. It includes leading edge Influent Advisor, Advanced Controllers, Optimizer, Sensitivity Analysis, Scenario Manager and Statistical Analysis tools.

GPS-X contains the largest collection of unit process models, covering a wide range of treatment technologies used in the liquid and solids treatment trains. The comprehensive database of unit processes allows users to easily assemble any treatment plant configuration, enter wastewater characterization data and conduct simulation studies quickly.

Combined with a plant-specific SCADA-like interface, GPS-X models can be used as an interactive training tool for treatment plant staff:

• Use the model to introduce new staff to the behaviour of the WWTP under dynamic conditions
• Illustrate the effects of changes to operational parameters (DO set points, RAS/WAS rates)
• Investigate wet-weather event strategies
• Determine the effects of diffuser cleaning on process performance, and estimate the optimum cleaning frequency

Unit Processes

• Influent
• Flow Combiners and Splitters
• Preliminary Treatment
• Primary Treatment
• Suspended Growth Processes
• Attached Growth Processes
• Secondary Clarifiers
• Tertiary Treatment
• Biosolids Treatment
• Process Control
• Miscellaneous
• Custom Processes
• Effluent

Applications

• Operator Training
• Design
• Research / Teaching
• Operations
• Cost Savings
• Planning

Features

• Drag and Drop – Simply drag the unit processes onto the drawing board to lay out your plant
• Connection Paths – Drag the connections between the unit processes to define the flows
• Customize – Change labels of processes and streams for simple identification; move the processes and connection paths to make the layout simple to follow
• Influent Advisor – Validate the accuracy and consistency of your influent data
• Interactive Controllers – Manage how model inputs are adjusted throughout a simulation run
• Scenarios – Create multiple cases that are modifications to the base model layout
• Displays – Automatically generated for each unit process within the model layout and display the most important stream properties and process variables; values are all updated in real-time and can easily be exported to Excel for further analysis and retention of simulation results
• Sankey Diagrams – Provides a visual representation of the flux of a given quantity throughout the model layout
• Energy Usage and Operating Cost Summaries – Provides a plant schematic output summary of the amount of energy used or the operating cost of the plant
• Mass Balance Table Diagrams – create informative visuals for reports and PowerPoint slides
• Statistical Analysis – Qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis
• Data Comparison – Measured and predicted values for steady state simulation can be compared on digital outputs, tabular outputs and bar charts for easy visualization and efficient calibration
• Advanced Data Handling/Reporting Tools – Import and export data to EXCEL and WORD

Innovative Tools

• Process Controllers – includes a set of robust process controllers to create treatment plant layouts with complex process control schemes
• Analyzer – automatically perform steady-state or dynamic sensitivity analyses on model parameters
• Optimizer – solve parameter estimation and process optimization problems
• Autocalibration using DPE – Designed for the estimation of time-varying parameters
• Online – continually add in new blocks of data rather then using a static input file
• Customizability – write, edit, or change models, via the ACSL programming language, add any new calculations, algorithms, or variables to model layout, easy biological model manipulation in matrix format, input and output menus, new simulation result summaries can be edited and customized
• Python Integration – script can interact with GPS-X models to exchange data and allow supplemental analytics on the model data, and programmatically start, communicate and extract results from a model directly from your own software solutions
• MATLAB Link – model wastewater processes in GPS-X, design suitable controllers for these processes, evaluate the performance of control systems, data logging, post-run analysis of GPS-X simulation results, and displaying data using three-dimensional graphical capabilities
• Model Developer – create new biological models by editing the model matrix quickly.

Model Options

• Mantis2 – Comprehensive Bio-chemical Whole Plant Model Library – analyze different wastewater treatment plant configurations for biological BOD, nitrogen and phosphorous removal, resource recovery (biogas, struvite) and side stream treatment using the deammonification process
• Mantis2S – Sulfer & Selenium Model Library – simulate the biological removal of selenium oxyanions (SeO42− and SeO32-) present in FGD blowdown, coal-mining and agricultural drainage wastewater, sulfate reduction by including processes for growth of propionate, hydrogen, acetate and methanol utilizing sulfate reducing bacteria, and production of hydrogen sulfide and metal precipitation reactions
• Mantis3 – Greenhouse Gas and Carbon Footprint Estimation Model Library – includes N2O production during denitrification, biological processes to estimate N2O production during autotrophic nitrification, classifies carbon emissions
• ASM Library – developed for a single-sludge system with carbon oxidation, nitrification, and denitrification occurring. The model contains X state variables
• ADM1 library – based on the Anaerobic Digestion Model
• MantisIW – Industrial Model Library – provides a dynamic-mechanistic model based on chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur balances that include biological and physical transformation processes
• MantisPW – Process Water Model Library – simulates process water treatment systems for modelling inorganic interactions among different inorganic compounds in process water
• MantisCHC Library – simulates the removal of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) by biological, chemical and physical processes in ground water treatment plants

SimuWorks is an industry first – a flight-simulator for water and wastewater treatment plants. Utilizing customized operator interfaces, SimuWorks presents views and functionality familiar to operators and administrators alike in a platform that accurately simulates the behaviour of a specific plant.

There are different incarnations of the SimuWorks platform depending on an organization’s requirements– OpToolPro is the out-of-the-box version or customized version to represent a specific plant.

OpToolPro – Out-of-the-box version of SimuWorks. A tool to allow operators to explore the causal relationships between operational settings and the effect on performance of an activated sludge treatment facility.

OpTool Pro is a generic virtual activated sludge treatment wastewater facility using a calibrated plant model as an underlying computational engine. The facility includes preliminary treatment systems, primary clarification, a two-train activated sludge process, secondary clarifiers, thickener and sludge disposal. The platform features both training and testing modes.

Standard – This platform provides a direct replication of a bird’s eye view of your actual water or wastewater treatment facility. The graphical interface and output schemes is similar to OpTool Pro. Key operations at the facility are dutifully captured. The development of the simulator is based on steady state calibration using average values of key parameters.

(CAS) – Applicable to conventional activated sludge systems using any technology (e.g. ASP, SBR, Oxidation ditch etc.).

(Media) – Applicable to systems that also include fixed film media based processes (e.g. MBBR, IFAS, etc.).

All solids handling facilities and liquid recycles in the plant are included in the system development.

Advanced – The graphical interface and output schemes is customized based on your requirement (bird’s eye view, SCADA look-and-feel or other graphics).

Applicable to systems that can include fixed film media based processes (e.g., MBBR, IFAS, etc.), this platform dutifully captures key operations at your facility.

The simulator includes scenarios specified by you, and provides you with the ability to develop additional scenarios.

Steady – The development of the simulator is based on a calibration done using average values of key parameters.

Dynamic – The development of the simulator is based on a calibration done using dynamic values of key parameters.

Benefits of a Site Specific Calibrated Model

These site specific calibrated models, deployed within customized operator interfaces or dashboards, offer:

• Advanced operator training and education
• Rapid identification and validation of plant optimization and cost-saving strategies
• Sophisticated project and operational risk analysis
• Key decision-making support for all levels of management

SimuWorks can be deployed as a complete life-size replica of a specific control room, set-up as a mobile control room for regional training with a library of various plant models, used in more traditional multi-station classroom environments or loaded on individual workstations.

Advanced Operator Training and Development

SimuWorksTM is a state of the art operator training and development platform that allows instructors to train and evaluate new or existing operators in a controlled and safe environment. The training can offer actual SCADA or customized look interfaces tied to the plant models that closely simulate actual plant behaviour. The training offers exposure to many simple or highly complex scenarios within a realistic environment but with no risk to actual plant performance.

Since the trainees can operate the virtual plant in the same manner they would the real plant (e.g. have access to the same operational control parameters, such as DO set-points and sludge wastage), learning is systematic and adopted well. Site-specific models have been used to train operators on such topics as step-feeding during storm events, troubleshooting nitrification/denitrification and what to do during periods of poor settling.

Plant and Process Optimization

SimuWorks offers a platform for fast and efficient testing and validation of any number of plant optimization or upgrade possibilities without putting the plant at risk. Operators, engineers, management or any other user type can evaluate new technologies, test new operational control strategies, run “what-if” scenarios (capacity, flow rates, chemical dosing, energy usage, etc.) and more. The implementation of SimuWorks can promote a better understanding of plant control at all levels within an organization

Project Management and Risk Analysis

SimuWorks becomes an important part of the planning process for projects. By simulating various scenarios around downtime for plant maintenance or modifications, potential risks can be identified and optimum project planning achieved.

The tool allows users to build a plant, select contaminants and observe emissions. Toxchem is mainly used for estimating VOC air emissions from wastewater collection, preliminary/primary/secondary treatment and disposal facilities. The site specific wastewater characteristics, contaminant properties and the process design and operating information are used to estimate VOC emission rates.

In addition to air emission estimates, Toxchem can also be used to estimate the concentrations / loads of contaminants in the water effluent, or oil and residual solids streams.

Toxchem is based on fundamental mass transfer equations and mass balances including the removal mechanism of stripping and volatilization, biodegradation and sorption. Thus, it can also be used to determine the fate of any synthetic chemical compounds for which the physical, chemical and biodegrading properties are known.

Typical applications could be in assessing the fate of chemicals for the REACH legislations in EU or studying the fate of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in wastewater treatment plants.

• Influents
• Collection
• Equalization/Storage
• Preliminary Treatment
• Biological Treatment
• Solids Digestion
• Dewatering
• Air Treatment
• Biosolids Handling
• Effluent
• Miscellaneous

Features

• Build a Layout – Simply drag the unit processes onto the drawing board to lay out your plant; drag the connections between the unit processes to define the flows.
• Customize – Change the process images on the drawing board to your own custom pictures; change the labels of the processes and / or stream connections to easily identify locations; move the connection paths around to make the layout easier to follow; various stream types (wastewater, air, oil, sludge) are coloured to easily differentiate between them; edit the colours to suit your preferences; customizable mass transfer properties to more accurately evaluate variations in process design.
• View Results – Use the on-screen summary dashboards to quickly view the most important information about your layout; background colouring behind the unit processes on the drawing board allow you to easily visualize the emission values at every spot throughout your plant; use the wizards to choose exactly what you’d like to export to an Excel report.
• Unit Processes – An unmatched number of unit processes to build comprehensive process layouts.
• Models – State-of-the-art models to simulate different volatilization, adsorption and biodegradation mechanisms.
• pH Dependent – New pH dependent volatilization models to evaluate the effects of pH on air emissions.
• Different Biokinetic Rate – Different biokinetic rate values for aerobic, anaerobic & anoxic zones within Biological Nutrient Removal Plants (BNR).
• Auto-Calculate – Reduction in active biomass availability for biodegradation of organic compounds as solids retention time increases.
• Backsolver – Easily reverse engineer an allowable headworks concentration given a downstream concentration limit; quickly develop local limits for metals or organic contaminants as part of contaminant source reduction programs or sewer use control bylaws.
• Sensitivity Analysis – Studying the relationship between input parameters and model results.

Contaminant Database

Experience a broader modelling capability with Toxchem’s comprehensive contaminants database which includes the compound properties as specified in the EPA WATER9 model database and an extensive array of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs).

Toxchem includes an extensive database of semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds (VOC) and their relevant properties for stripping, sorption, biodegradation, etc.

The database also includes a suite of metals so that the fate of a number of metals, including mercury and silver, can be followed through both liquid and solids handling processes. Applications can include tracking metals from influent wastewater through clarifier underflows, dewatering and drying processes, and incineration.

If a desired VOC isn’t present or you wish to experiment how different properties affect the emission rates, you are able to create your own organic chemical compounds and modify the properties accordingly.

CapdetWorks is the industry’s only software tool for fast and accurate preliminary design and cost estimation of wastewater treatment plant construction projects. The tool helps to eliminate cumbersome and time-consuming spreadsheet-based design algorithms.

Simply drag-and-drop unit processes to build a plant schematic with CapdetWorks and it will design the plant and estimate the costs to build, operate and maintain the facility.

By quickly and easily building multiple treatment alternatives to compare relative costs, your planning-level design and costing productivity improves dramatically, leading to better engineering decisions. CapdetWorks utilizes industry-accepted design algorithms to derive the required unit process designs. Sophisticated unit cost estimation techniques are used to size and cost all treatment processes.

Unit Processes

• Influent
• Flow Splitters
• Pumping Station
• Preliminary Treatment
• Chemical Treatment
• Primary Treatment
• Suspended Growth – C,N
• Suspended Growth – C,N,DN,P
• Suspended Growth – Other
• Attached Growth
• Secondary Clarifier
• Tertiary Treatment
• Effluent Discharge
• Biosolids Treatment
• Biosolids Thickening/Dewatering
• Biosolids Incineration
• Biosolids Disposal
• User Defined Processes
• Biogas Treatment

Features

• Build a Layout – Simply drag the unit processes onto the drawing board to lay out your plant; drag the unit processes onto the drawing board to lay out your plant.
• Connection Paths – Drag the connections between the unit processes to define the flows.
• Customize – Change process images on the drawing board to your own custom pictures; change the labels of the processes and/or stream connections to easily identify locations; move the connection paths around to make the layout easier to follow; various stream types (wastewater and sludge) are coloured to easily differentiate between them; edit colours to suit your preferences.
• View Results – Quickly and easily building multiple treatment alternatives to compare relative costs.
• Reporting Wizards and Dashboards – Report wizards, on-screen summary dashboards and easy export to Excel saves time when viewing and analyzing CapdetWorks results.
• Sensitivity Analysis – Perform “What-if” Scenarios, easily evaluate and identify critical factors by varying various input parameters and viewing their impact on the overall plant cost (or individual unit process cost).
• Unit Costing – Access and adjust various construction-related unit cost estimates and other costing parameters.
• Cost Indices – Various equipment-related cost indices available to adjust costs to the present.
• Equipment Costs – Access a comprehensive database of costing information for all types of treatment equipment.
• Cost Analysis – Access a detailed cost breakdown, design information, and estimated water quality for the given layout.
• Cost Comparison – Create and compare a cost analysis of various plant layouts; access the Cost Analysis information for all layouts and use bar charts for a simple visual comparison tool.