Identification and sensitivity analysis of a trickling biofilter viewed as a distributed parameters system

The paper aims to establish the frequency models and sensitivity analysis of a biological filter in an intensive recirculating aquaculture system when changing the functioning regime of the plant. The starting point is an analytical model of a trickling biofilter, a distributed parameter model identified from experimental data. The software implementation of this model is used as a process emulator, various functioning regimes of the trickling biofilter being simulated. Based on the simulated data sets and using adaptive filters the frequency models for each input - output channel have been identified. The sensitivity analysis of the trickling biofilter upon changing the functioning regime has led to important conclusions regarding the control solutions to be adopted for each input - output channel. Finally, based on the analysis conducted, a strategy for the automatic control of the intensive recirculating aquaculture system is proposed.