The generic control structure of wastewater treatment systems

This paper is concerned with the assessment of a generic control structure and an investigation of the use of an advanced control architecture to overcome the problems of conventional approaches for wastewater treatment plant control and optimisation. The generic structure can be used as a tool for wastewater and control engineers to develop improved control systems and process optimisation for reducing operation costs and increasing effluent quality. The three-layer control structure provides autonomy and flexibility while retaining controller robustness and reliability. An analysis of a specific wastewater treatment system suggests that implementation of an advanced control structure would benefit the plant operation and performance