Development of a process selection model for industrial wastewater treatment using an expert system

Som, Ayub Md (1998) Development of a process selection model for industrial wastewater treatment using an expert system. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

A process selection methodology was developed for industrial waste water treatment plant. The starting point of the procedure is by categorising the wastewater based on industry type, general pollution indicators, or contaminant removal processes giving a standardised compositional code which consists of seven basic characteristics of wastewaters. A preliminary design assessment is carried out by comparing the influent parameters with the desired effluent quality or consent conditions; where an influent parameter is not known, a minimum characterisation set of analysis data is suggested. A preliminary process selection is carried out in terms of maximum volumetric loading rates and depths for each process which, in turn, gives the required footprint area for the reactor. In addition to the reactor, the overall land area requirement is determined by incorporating all the potential ancillary equipment by mean of a proportionality factor for each process. The process selection is further refined by the establishment of performance graphs for each process based on the volumetric loading rates and the percentage removal of COD or BOD.

Based on the graphs, each process can be quantified as to whether the COD or BOD consent is met in relation to the respective volumetric loading rate. If there is no performance envelope available for the process, data is sought from treatability study in the laboratory. The model developed takes into consideration, not only all the numerical factors (i.e. flowrates, land areas, wastewater compositions, etc.) but also the non-numerical or intangible factors which are likely to influence the process selection criteria. These intangible factors are ranked hierarchically through the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCP) and Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) resulting in a priority vector which is later used in a decision making process.

The methodology has been incorporated into an expert system shell (XpertRule), which runs on a P.C., and provides a simple user interface. Certain provisions are made viable in the program for new information to be added into the knowledge base. The automation of the methodology currently allows the user to make a selection based on biological treatment process alternatives.

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