Mathematical models are to show new ways of managing wastewater treatment plants for the benefit of the climate and the environment.
How should a wastewater treatment plant be controlled to ensure that water is cleansed of nitrogen without emitting the extremely hazardous greenhouse gas—nitrous oxide—and avoid consuming so much power that its CO2 accounts are in the red? Researchers at DTU Environment and DTU Chemical Engineering are developing mathematical models to show how best to control wastewater treatment plants. Associate Professor Gürkan Sin, DTU Chemical Engineering, explains that the models take into account more parameters than previously.
“We are expanding the existing models with several processes and variables. Using the models we can simulate alternative ways to control a plant and in that way test various theses on how best to avoid emissions of nitrous oxide and at the same time remove nitrogen,” says Gürkan Sin.
DTU Chemical Engineering’s research is part of the LaGas project. The project aims to identify the causes of nitrous oxide production in wastewater systems and present solutions on how to avoid this greenhouse gas which is 300 times more potent than CO2
Article from DYNAMO no. 42, DTU’s quarterly magazine in Danish.