The Activated Sludge Model No 1

ASM1
Bengt Carlsson

The Peterson process matrix

General expression for a component z in a completely
mixed reactor
.
V z = Qzin Qz + Vrz

.
z = Dzin Dz + rz

where V=volume of the reactor, Q=inflow rate=outflow

rate, D=Q/V=dilution rate, and rz is the process rate
Note that rZ = ( S ) X for simple biomass growth.
In the process matrix discussed below, only process
rates are described.

Example 1

Biomass with Monod growth rate and decay:

rX = max

S
X bX
KS + X

If we assume that all decayed biomass becomes

substrate the process rate for substrate is:
1
S
rS = max
X + bX
Y
KS + X

Peterson matrix for Example 1

Components

Growth

Decay

-1

Process

max

S
X
KS + X

bX

The bisubstrate
model
Slowly biodeg substrate
Xs
Hydrolysis
Easily biodeg substrate
Ss
Growth of biomass
Biomass
X
1-f
f

Decay of biomass

Inert matter
XP

Example 2. A Bisubstrate model

Assumptions:
Biomass X has growth rate r and a decay bX.
A typical example of r is
SO
S
r = max
X
K S + S K O + SO
The fraction (1-f) of the decayed biomass
becomes slowly biodeg matter Xs, and
fraction f becomes inert matter Xp.
The yield is Y and hydrolysis of Xs has
growth rate kXS

Substrate dynamics:
dS S
1
= r + kX S
dt
Y

Change of slowly biodeg substrate:

dX S
= (1 f )bX kX S
dt

Accumulation of inert matter:

dX P
= f bX
dt
Growth and decay of biomass
dX
= 1 r 1b X
dt

SS

Growth

XP

-1/Y

Decay

Hydrolysis

XS

(1-f)

-1

rate

-1

bX

k XS

 In ASM1, a bisubstrate model is used for

the carbon oxidation process.
If the substrate and biomass is measured in
COD [g COD/m3] the oxygen consumption is easy
to calculate by adding the factors in the
growth process:

1
(1 Y )
r + 1r =
r
Y
Y

ASM1
ASM1 proposed 1987, probably the most used model
for the ASP. Previously called IAWQ Model No 1
ASM2: 1995, model for biological P removal
ASM3 1999, improvements of ASM1. Substrate goes
through a storage process
ADM1 2001, Anaerobic Digester Model No 1

 ASM1 describes an activated sludge system with

carbon oxidation, nitrification, denitrification.
In total 8 processes are modelled:
Growth of biomass (3), decay (2), ammonification
of organic N (1), hydrolysis (2)
Heterotrophic biomass XB,H:
- Oxidise carbon under aerobic conditions
- Denitrify (SNO =>N2) under anoxic
conditions (if substrate available).
Autotropic biomass XB,A:
- Nitrify (SNH =>SNO) under aerobic
conditions.

Divisions of carbonaceous
material
Total COD

Biodeg. COD:
Soluble SS
Particulate XS

Nonbiodeg
COD:
Soluble SI
Particulate XI
and XP

Active biomass
Heterotrophs
XB,H
Autothrops
XB,A

Nitrogeneous components
Most important components:
Ammonia SNH
Nitrate (and nitrite) SNO
Biodeg N: SND and XND

In summary: 12 components (+ alkalinity)

Growth rates and processes:

growth of heterotrophs XB,H
- Aerobic growth
- Anoxic growth
- Decay
dX B , H
dt

= H

SS
SO
X B,H
K S + S S K O + SO

K O,H
SS
S NO
+ H g
X B,H
K S + S S K O , H + SO K S + S NO
bH X B , H

Growth of autotrophs XB,A

- Aerobic growth
- Decay

dX B , A
dt

SO
S NH
X B, A
= A
K NH + S NH K O , A + SO
bA X B , A

Model parameters
ASM1 has 19 model parameters, where some
(typically max growth rates) are temperature dependent.
Default values exist, but several parameters may need
to be tuned to mimic a specific plant.
Some set of parameters may lead to (approximately)
the same model behaviour!
Also the influent water needs to be characterized.
See: Calibrating, identifiability and optimal
experimental design of activated sludge models,
B Peterson, PhD 2000. Thesis available for download

Limitations of ASM1
Examples:
The pH is assumed to be near neutrality
Many of the relations are empirical or based on
hypothesis
Cells need nutrients to grow which are not modelled
Constant temperature. In order to allow for
temperature variations, Arrerenius relations
may be used

Model use
Example of use:
Testing and evaluation new control strategies
Education and process understanding
Evaluating new processes and/or operating
modes
Process optimization
Prediction
The goal of the modelling should determine how
careful the model should be calibrated.