Modeling as a tool for energy

analysis and optimization

E. BELIA, PRIMODAL US INC.

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility

Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Overview
Modeling basics
Overview of tools
Examples:
DO vs. ammonia control for energy reduction
N removal vs. increased gas production

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

What Is Modelling?
What is a model?
System representation that can predict some system behavior

Essential elements of models

Series of process equations

Parameter values (allow the model to be calibrated)
Initial (starting point) & boundary conditions
Dynamics (time-varying performance vs. steady-state)

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

SIMBA#

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Models for Energy Optimization

Impact of dynamics
Energy tariff implications

Control design and testing

Balancing multiple objectives

Energy balance
Equipment selection (e.g. blowers)

..
2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Example 1:
DO vs. Ammonia/DO cascade
feedback control

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Objectives

Evaluate two control strategies

Balance energy usage and cost
Meet effluent ammonia consent
Variable tariff
Fixed air distribution

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Plant Layout

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Aeration Control Strategies

Measured variable

Reference variable

(Actual value)

(setpoint)

Manipulated
variable

Pressurized air
O2
Primary
Influent

DO
Controller

NH4 controller
DO f(NH4)

NH4
Mixed
Liquor

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

160

$0.14

140

$0.12

120

$0.10

100

$0.08

80
$0.06

60

$0.04

40

COD load

20
0
12:00 AM

$0.02

Electricity tariff
4:48 AM

9:36 AM

2:24 PM

7:12 PM

$0.00
12:00 AM

Time

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Electricity cost

COD load (t/d)

Influent COD Load and

Electricity Tariff

4,500,000

$10,000

4,000,000

$9,000

3,500,000

$8,000

$7,000

3,000,000

$6,000

2,500,000

$5,000
2,000,000

$4,000

1,500,000

$3,000

Airflow - DO setpoint
Airflow - Ammonia/DO
Aeration Cost - DO setpoint
Aeration Cost - Ammonia/DO

1,000,000
500,000

0
12:00 AM

4:48 AM

9:36 AM

2:24 PM

7:12 PM

12:00 AM

$2,000
$1,000

$0
4:48 AM

Time (d)

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Aeration Cost ($)

Air Flow (Nm3/d)

Cost Comparison of the two

Control Strategies

Example 2: Balancing COD

Flow

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Objectives
Existing small primary tank (30% TSS
removal)
Site constraints
CEPT evaluation
Balancing:
Aeration cost
Digester gas production
Nitrogen removal
2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Plant Layout

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Low Primary Tank Removal

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Simulating Chemically
Enhanced Primary Treatment

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Scenario Comparison
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

250

1
Curren

2
CEPT

Air flow (Nm3/d)

Blower
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0

200
150

16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

Digester Gas

Effluent NOx-N

100
50
0
1

Current

Current2

CEPT 4

CEPT

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Effluent NOx-N (mg/L)

Biogas vs. Nitrate

Biogas (m3/d)

% TSS removal

Primary Tank Removal

Summary of Model Potential

Wastewater flight simulator
Dynamic interactions between influent,
control, energy and cost
Balancing costs and risks

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014

Presenter contact information

Evangelina Belia
Ph.D., ing.
Primodal Inc.
US & Canada
belia@primodal.com
www.primodal.com

2014 Energy Workshop: A Water and Wastewater Utility Guide to More Sustainable Energy Management
East Lansing, Michigan, October 16, 2014