Software
ASIM
Plutocalc is the most popular and complete calculator for water treatment, wastewater, hydraulics, environmental chemistry and unit conversions. Plutocalc solvers were carefully tuned to require minimal inputs and provide accurate results based on the latest advances in science and engineering.
ASIM (Activated Sludge SIMulation Program) is a simulation program, which allows for the simulation of a variety of different biological wastewater treatment systems:
Activated sludge systems with up to 10 different reactors in series (aerobic, anoxic, anaerobic), including sludge return and internal recirculation streams, batch reactors, chemostat reactors, etc.
Activated sludge systems with up to 10 different reactors in series (aerobic, anoxic, anaerobic), including sludge return and internal recirculation streams, batch reactors, chemostat reactors, etc.
- A software for the integrated design of wastewater treatment plants.
- IWA Task Group on Mathematical Modelling for Design and Operation of Biological Wastewater Treatment, 2000. This package is free software; it can be redistributed and/or modified under the terms of the Modelica license, see the license conditions and the accompanying disclaimer in the documentation of package Modelica in file 'Modelica/package.mo'.
More information on ASIM
The program allows for the definition of process control loops (simple proportional controllers and on/off type binary controllers) and dynamic simulation of load variation (diurnal or seasonal load variation, temperature variation, variation of operational parameters such as aeration, excess sludge removal, recycle rates etc.).
Data analysis is supported by the possibility to compare observed data with simulation results in easy to use graphic support routines. Simulated results may be exported to spreadsheets for further treatment.
A menu driven user interface with context sensitive help information (by pressing F1 key), graphic support and simple file handling makes the program easy to use in class rooms, research and commercial applications.
The special feature of ASIM is that biokinetic models (the different materials or components used to characterize the wastewater and the transformation processes with relevant stoichiometry and kinetics) may be freely defined, stored and edited by the user. This allows the researcher to develop his own specific model and it allows the student to learn modelling by stepwise increase of model complexity. Simple as well as complex models are distributed together with the program in the model library. The distribution file includes copies of the Activated Sludge Model No.1 (adapted), No.2d as well as ASM3 as proposed by the IAWQ Task Group for Mathematical Modelling for Design and Operation of Biological Wastewater Treatment.
Data analysis is supported by the possibility to compare observed data with simulation results in easy to use graphic support routines. Simulated results may be exported to spreadsheets for further treatment.
A menu driven user interface with context sensitive help information (by pressing F1 key), graphic support and simple file handling makes the program easy to use in class rooms, research and commercial applications.
The special feature of ASIM is that biokinetic models (the different materials or components used to characterize the wastewater and the transformation processes with relevant stoichiometry and kinetics) may be freely defined, stored and edited by the user. This allows the researcher to develop his own specific model and it allows the student to learn modelling by stepwise increase of model complexity. Simple as well as complex models are distributed together with the program in the model library. The distribution file includes copies of the Activated Sludge Model No.1 (adapted), No.2d as well as ASM3 as proposed by the IAWQ Task Group for Mathematical Modelling for Design and Operation of Biological Wastewater Treatment.
The teaching and research version of ASIM 5 is now available free of charge.
The commercial version of ASIM 5 is available for CHF 2000.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Eberhard MorgenrothTel. +41 58 765 5539Send Mail
Publication
Organic matter, light and contaminant degradation
Dissolved organic matter consists of organic compounds, mainly of natural origin. Although it is only present in trace amounts in surface waters, organic matter influences the fate of contaminants. Under the action of sunlight, it can either increase or decrease the rate at which contaminants are degraded.
Canonica, S.; Wenk, J.; Laubscher, H.-U. (2009) Organic matter, light and contaminant degradation, Eawag News [engl. ed.], 66, 16-18, Institutional Repository
'Let's talk cash': Cantons' interests and the reform of Swiss federalism
In 2004 the Swiss people accepted a new equalization scheme and a new distribution of competences between the federal state and the cantons. It was argued that the reform was successful because of the capacity of veto-players to overcome their interests and adopt a 'problem-solving' interaction mode. We propose a different interpretation and argue that distributive issues and the accommodation of actors' interests crucially mattered. We identify three mechanisms that contribute to a successful reform, i.e. package-deals, side-payments and the downsizing of the reform. Our in-depth, mainly qualitative study of both the content of the reform and related decision-making process supports the pertinence of these strategies for the explanation of the successful reform of Swiss federalism.
Wwtp Design software, free download
Cappelletti, F.; Fischer, M.; Sciarini, P. (2014) 'Let's talk cash': Cantons' interests and the reform of Swiss federalism, Regional and Federal Studies, 24(1), 1-20, doi:10.1080/13597566.2013.808627, Institutional Repository
Description of the program ASIM
Dynamic Simulation Software for Biological Wastewater Treatment Modeling
ASIM 5 is a key design tool indispensable for
- engineering and consulting companies
- sewage treatment plant operators
- contractors
- environmental authorities
- Research and Development (R & D)
- applications engineering
and anyone who is engaged in construction, refurbishment, operation and optimation of biological sewage treatment plants.
Features
- analysis of the actual state
- dynamic modeling
- determination of load limits
- simulation of specific operating conditions
- examination of spare capacity
- elaboration of control concepts
- plant optimation
Wwtp Design software, free download
Biological Sewage Treatment - Marked by New Dynamics
Complex biotechnological processes are applied in current municipal domestic wastewater treatment. Dynamic simulation of critical process conditions can help to prevent operational failure or to determine load limits and spare capacity. Thus an optimal performance of these complex processes even under difficult circumstances can be ensured.
The common way of dimensioning biological wastewater treatment systems is to use static models and calculations. Rules of thumb along with calculations are applied to describe operational conditions that can be compared to real situations. However, these static models cannot cope with time variation. The effects of time-related phenomena can be described by dynamic simulation only.
ASIM 5 allows for the dynamic simulation of diurnal load variation, peak loads, specific operating conditions, etc. The effects of such variations on any process parameter of the plant can be investigated. The simulation is based on the biokinetic model.
Diurnal load variation / related concentration plots for several system parameters
Both simple and complex models are issued in a model database that comes along with the program. The distributed version includes copies of the Activated Sludge Model No.1, No. 2, and No. 3, as proposed by the IAWQ Task Group for Mathematical Modeling for Design and Operation of Biological Wastewater Treatment. In addition, the model database contains versions of the IAWQ Models No. 2 and No. 3 that have been modified by EAWAG/ETH. The special feature of ASIM is that biokinetic models may be freely defined, stored and edited by the user.
Both simple and complex models are issued in a model database that comes along with the program. The distributed version includes copies of the Activated Sludge Model No.1, No. 2, and No. 3, as proposed by the IAWQ Task Group for Mathematical Modeling for Design and Operation of Biological Wastewater Treatment. In addition, the model database contains versions of the IAWQ Models No. 2 and No. 3 that have been modified by EAWAG/ETH. The special feature of ASIM is that biokinetic models may be freely defined, stored and edited by the user.
The program has been developed under the supervision of Prof. Willi Gujer at the Institute for Hydromechanics and Water Resources Management, ETH Zurich. The latest scientific insights and simulation models have been integrated in the current version ASIM 5.
System requirements ASIM 5 English
Operating system: Windows® 95 or higher ; screen resolution: 800 x 600 VGA (opt. 1024 x 768); RAM > 32 MB; available hard-disk space approx. 5 MB
Parametrizing levels for process parameter input and data evaluation
Functional range of ASIM 5
- dynamic simulation of load variation, process alteration and adjustment of operational parameters such as aeration, excess sludge removal, recycle rates, etc.
- definition of control loops
- data analysis facilitated by easy to use graphic support routines for comparison of observed data with simulation results
- analysis and simulation of activated sludge systems with up to 10 different reactors in series, including biological phosphorus removal, return sludge, internal recirculation, batch reactors, chemostatic reactors, sequencing batch reactors, etc.
- user-friendly interface on Windows® operating systems with numerous export functions
- further treatment systems such as alternating/intermittent treatment and further biokinetic models such as anaerobic sludge digestion are currently being implemented
TEMPEST
TEMPEST is a simulation program, which allows for the simulation of dynamics of the wastewater temperature in sewers in connection to heating with wastewater.
More information on TEMPEST
TEMPEST is an interactive simulation program for temperature estimation in sewers. It can be used to calculate the dynamics and longitudinal spatial profiles of the wastewater temperature in sewers. Applications range from simple steady state estimations of the changes of the wastewater temperature in a single sewer line to full scale simulations of the dynamics of the wastewater temperature in successive sewer lines with lateral inflows.
Program Availability
The current program version of TEMPEST is 'Version 1.02'. In order to receive the TEMPEST executable file, please fill out the download form.
Screenshots
References
A mathematical model to predict the effect of heat recovery on the wastewater temperature in sewers
Raw wastewater contains considerable amounts of energy that can be recovered by means of a heat pump and a heat exchanger installed in the sewer. The technique is well established, and there are approximately 50 facilities in Switzerland, many of which have been successfully using this technique for years. The planning of new facilities requires predictions of the effect of heat recovery on the wastewater temperature in the sewer because altered wastewater temperatures may cause problems for the biological processes used in wastewater treatment plants and receiving waters. A mathematical model is presented that calculates the discharge in a sewer conduit and the spatial profiles and dynamics of the temperature in the wastewater, sewer headspace, pipe, and surrounding soil. The model was implemented in the simulation program TEMPEST and was used to evaluate measured time series of discharge and temperatures. It was found that the model adequately reproduces the measured data and that the temperature and thermal conductivity of the soil and the distance between the sewer pipe and undisturbed soil are the most sensitive model parameters. The temporary storage of heat in the pipe wall and the exchange of heat between wastewater and the pipe wall are the most important processes for heat transfer. The model can be used as a tool to determine the optimal site for heat recovery and the maximal amount of extractable heat.
Dürrenmatt, D. J.; Wanner, O. (2014) A mathematical model to predict the effect of heat recovery on the wastewater temperature in sewers, Water Research, 48(1), 548-558, doi:10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.017, Institutional Repository
Dürrenmatt, D. J. (2006) Berechnung des Verlaufs der Abwassertemperatur im Kanalisationsrohr, 91 p, Institutional Repository
Simulation of the wastewater temperature in sewers with TEMPEST
TEMPEST is a new interactive simulation program for the estimation of the wastewater temperature in sewers. Intuitive graphical user interfaces assist the user in managing data, performing calculations and plotting results. The program calculates the dynamics and longitudinal spatial profiles of the wastewater temperature in sewer lines. Interactions between wastewater, sewer air and surrounding soil are modeled in TEMPEST by mass balance equations, rate expressions found in the literature and a new empirical model of the airflow in the sewer. TEMPEST was developed as a tool which can be applied in practice, i.e., it requires as few input data as possible. These data include the upstream wastewater discharge and temperature, geometric and hydraulic parameters of the sewer, material properties of the sewer pipe and surrounding soil, ambient conditions, and estimates of the capacity of openings for air exchange between sewer and environment. Based on a case study it is shown how TEMPEST can be applied to estimate the decrease of the downstream wastewater temperature caused by heat recovery from the sewer. Because the efficiency of nitrification strongly depends on the wastewater temperature, this application is of practical relevance for situations in which the sewer ends at a nitrifying wastewater treatment plant.
Dürrenmatt, D. J.; Wanner, O. (2008) Simulation of the wastewater temperature in sewers with TEMPEST, Water Science and Technology, 57(11), 1809-1815, doi:10.2166/wst.2008.291, Institutional Repository
Contact
For general enquiries please send an e-mail to tempest@cluttereawag.ch.
Documentation
- TEMPEST User Manual and Software License (for Version 1.02)[2.30MB]
- Example Model Files (case study manual)[245KB]
- TEMPEST Excersice PEAK Course A28/08 (in German)[100KB]
- Model files for PEAK Course Exercise[231KB]
By Laura Martin
With a multitude of new technologies and tools coming to the market each year, it can be hard for water industry professionals to decide what they need.
But there is one tool that every wastewater and water treatment operator, engineer, and facility manager should have — and it’s small enough to fit in your pocket. Smartphones, when programmed with the right apps, can serve important functions at wastewater and water treatment facilities. These 10 apps make it easier to do everything from calculating chemical dosages to installing the right size sewage pipes. (See also: '10 (More) Apps For Water And Wastewater Professionals')
Developer: The Missouri Rural Water Association
Platforms: Android 2.0.1 and up
Cost: Free
Heavy rain or storm events can sometimes catch a wastewater facility off guard, leading to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and combined sewer overflows (CSOs). This inflow calculator app makes it easy for the operator to estimate just how much the expected rainfall will impact their facility. Simply enter the drainage area in square feet and the rainfall amount in inches, and the app estimates the inflow into the sewer from rainfall in gallons. The app also includes a companion exceedence calculator, which uses the facility design flow in gallons per day (GDP), the facility average dry weather flow in GDP, and the sum of all estimated added inflow (determined in the inflow calculator) to estimate the flow exceeding design flow in GDP.
Developer: Multieducator Inc.
Platforms: iPhone or iPad
Cost: $4.99
This one-stop app for engineers contains over 200 specialized formulas and 600 conversion formulas commonly used by water and wastewater management professionals. The formulas can be used for facility operations, sewer pipeline, sewage treatment, sludge, stormwater runoff, water flow, and more.
Developer: The Missouri Rural Water Association
Platforms: Android or Apple devices 2.0 and up
Cost: Free
The ability to determine the correct chemical dosages is essential for a water treatment specialist. This app assists with all the basic calculations needed to make necessary changes in treatment including dosage using dry chemicals, liquid chemicals, and chlorine gas. It also includes a specific gravity calculator and a solution strength mix calculator to further assist the water operator.
Developer: THInc.
Platforms: Android 2.2 and up
Cost: Free
This basic app is designed to calculate and record mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), return activated sludge (RAS), and waste activated sludge (WAS) for water reclamation/wastewater treatment facilities. The app allows the user to simply shake the device to clear.
Developer: Transparent Blue
Platforms: Requires Android 1.6 and up
Cost: $1.89
This app is designed for those involved in building or maintaining sewer infrastructure. The app uses “The Manning Equation” to calculate the necessary pipe diameter and slope for a given project. The user inputs the desired flow, length, initial ground elevation, and final ground elevation, and the app uses this data to calculate the slope, diameter, depth, and tractive force needed. The user has the option of working in U.S. units or SI units.
Developer: Wateropolis Inc.
Platforms: iOS 4.3 or later or iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Cost: Free, some features require additional cost
A group of seasoned water treatment professionals with over 20 years of experience got together to create this app, designed for the water plant operator. The app features a variety of formulas, convertors, and look-up tables that make the day-day job of operating a water treatment plant simpler. Calculators include volume conversion, flow conversion, pressure conversion, tank capacity estimator, tank media calculator, liquid feed rate, solid chemical dosing, and more. An email feature is available to share data with colleagues or save for later use.
Developer: Envirogen Group
Platforms: Android 2.3.3 and up
Cost: Free
Designed for the water treatment service engineer, this app calculates softener sizing, reverse osmosis performance and normalization, and silt density (fouling) index. It is currently set up for UK units, but the app will soon be developed to include additional calculations, conversions, and unit systems.
Developer: G-Ware
Platforms: Android 1.5 and up
Cost: $.99
Keep track of critical tank levels with this app. Simply input starting levels and feed rate, and the app will calculate the current tank level every 60 seconds. The app is designed to monitor a variety of chemicals including peroxide, caustic soda, fluoride, hypochlorite, sulfuric acid, and ethylene, and will display both starting level and current level for each substance. A low level alert will appear when any tank is at or below low level setpoint and allow the user to update the levels when a tank is filled. The app can be used to monitor multiple tanks. Each tank’s level can be emailed to anyone directly from the app. Designed for large and small water and wastewater treatment plants.
Developer: Sensorex
Platforms: IOS, Android version is coming soon
Cost: App is free
This app turns smart devices into pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), conductivity/ total dissolved solids (TDS), and temperature measuring meters that not only measure, but also communicate collected data via instant and error-free email. Users can simply plug the SAM-1 into the audio jack of their smartphone or tablet then plug in the smart sensor to take accurate readings. Samples can be measured in the lab, field, or plant and the readings can be shared via email.
Developer: Thermo Fisher Scientific
Platforms: iOS 4.3 or later
Cost: Free
Not sure what product will do the job? This app makes it easy to find the product that matches each individual application need, including pure water analysis, power plant water analysis, drinking water analysis, wastewater analysis, pulp and paper manufacturing, and general processing.
These 10 apps are just a sampling of available apps for water and wastewater industry professionals (see 10 more apps here). Have you ever used an app at work? Which one? Tell us your experience in the comments.