Integrated modelling as an analytical and optimisation tool for urban watershed management
Erbe, V.; Frehmann, T.; Geiger, W.F.; Krebs, P.; Londong, J.; Rosenwinkel, K.H.; Seggelke, K.
Water Science and Technology a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research 46(6-7): 141-150
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0273-1223 PMID: 12380985 Document Number: 543618
In recent years, numerical modelling has become a standard procedure to optimize urban waste water systems design and operation. Since the models were developed for the subsystems independently, they did not support an integrated view to the operation of the sewer system, the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) and the receiving water. After pointing out the benefits of an integrated approach and the possible synergy effects that may arise from analysing the interactions across the interfaces, three examples of modelling case studies carried out in Germany are introduced. With these examples, we intend to demonstrate the potential of integrated models, though their development cannot be considered completed. They are set up with different combinations of self-developed and commercially available software. The aim is to analyse fluxes through the total waste water system or to integrate pollution-based control in the upstream direction, that is e.g. managing the combined water retention tanks as a function of state variables in the WWTP or the receiving water. Furthermore, the interface between the sewer and the WWTP can be optimized by predictive simulations such that the combined water flow can be maximized according to the time- and dynamics-dependent state of the treatment processes.