Comparison between alternating aerobic–anoxic and conventional activated sludge systems

Conventional activated sludge systems ensure removal of colloidal and dissolved carbonaceous organic matter whereas alternating aerobic–anoxic systems, in addition, satisfy a further reduction in nitrogen content of wastewater. Main difference between them is that the alternating system should also include an anoxic operation mode which satisfies denitrification. In other words conventional systems are operated under aerobic conditions whereas alternating systems require a periodical change from aerobic conditions to anoxic conditions. So the most important problem in alternating systems is to find the appropriate durations for both sequences. In this study a comparison between conventional and alternating systems is considered in terms of nitrogen removal and aeration time by simulation under the same conditions together with an optimization algorithm. The results show that an activated sludge system can be operated as an alternating aerobic–anoxic system so that nitrogen removal is also possible during treatment without any additional investment or operational cost.