Utilizing optical monitoring to predict the effluent quality in the activated sludge processes

Abstract The optical monitoring device was used for imaging industrial and municipal activated sludge processes. The results were utilized to predict the important effluent quality parameters (BOD, COD, N, P, SS) indicating the efficiency of the wastewater treatment processes. The optimal subsets of variables for each model were searched using mathematical variable selection methods. The models based on optical monitoring and process variables from the early stage of the treatment process can be used to predict the effluent quality hours in advance compared with traditional measurements, which enables the optimization of process control, keeping the process in a stable operating condition and avoiding environmental risks and excessive operation costs