Model predictive control of purple bacteria in raceway reactors

Handling microbial competition, disturbances, and performance

Journal Article (2024)
Authors

Ali Moradvandi (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering, TU Delft - ChemE/Process Systems Engineering)

Bart Schutter (TU Delft - Delft Center for Systems and Control)

Edo Abraham (TU Delft - Water Resources)

R.E.F. Lindeboom (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

Research Group
Water Resources
More Info
expand_more
Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Research Group
Water Resources
Volume number
194
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2024.108981
Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

Purple Phototrophic Bacteria (PPB) are increasingly being applied in resource recovery from wastewater. Open raceway-pond reactors offer a more cost-effective option, but subject to biological and environmental perturbations. This study proposes a hierarchical control system based on Adaptive Generalized Model Predictive Control (AGMPC) for PPB raceway reactors. The AGMPC uses simple linear models updated adaptively to project the complex process dynamics and capture changes. The hierarchical approach uses the AGMPC controller to optimize PPB growth as the core of the system. The developed supervisory layer adjusts set-points for the core controller based on two operational scenarios: maximizing PPB concentration for quality, or increasing yield for quantity through effluent recycling. Lastly, due to competing PPB and non-PPB bacteria during start-up phase, an override strategy for this transition is investigated through simulation studies. The Purple Bacteria Model (PBM) simulates this process, and simulation results demonstrate the control system's effectiveness and robustness.