A mathematical model is developed to describe the dynamic behavior of mesophilic (35 +/- 5 degrees C) and thermophilic digestion (55 +/- 5 degrees C). Special emphasis is given to acetotrophic methanogenesis and propionate degradation, as the steps that determine the stability of anaerobic digestion, as well as to hydrolysis rate, which determines the degradation efficiency of particulate degradable organic carbon. Within the range of 6-20 (mesophilic) and 2-8 d (thermophilic) hydraulic retention time (HRT), the observed maximum growth rates for acetotrophic methanogens are 0.33 and 1.3 d(-1), respectively, with a 15% decay rate. Temperature and pH dependence as well as ammonia inhibition of acetate and propionate conversion are determined and included in the model, which allows us to simulate the effect of protein- and nitrogen-rich waste addition and the consequences of temporarily increased free ammonia at high pH. No inhibition of hydrogen conversion was observed in the same free ammonia range. The pH optimum is between 6.6 and 7.3. Acetotrophic methanogenesis is strongly inhibited below pH 6.2, whereas above pH 7.4 it can be inhibited by free ammonia. For digesters fed with ordinary municipal sewage sludge, free ammonia inhibition of acetate conversion leads to an increase in acetate at about 35 and 140 mg of N/L for mesophilic (HRT = 20 d) and thermophilic (HRT = 6 d) conditions, respectively. The hydrolysis rate constant is 0.25 and 0.4 d(-1) respectively for these two conditions. The model is validated with load variation experiments in laboratory and full-scale digesters for step and shock loads.

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This paper proposes a systematic methodology for the analysis of the mass and charge balances in dynamic models expressed using the Petersen matrix notation. This methodology is based on the definition of the model components via elemental mass fractions and in the estimation of the COD as a function of the redox equations associated with these elements. This approach makes the automatic calculation of all the stoichiometric coefficients under different measuring units and the study of COD, charge or mass fluxes easier. As an example of its application this methodology was applied to the ADM1 in order to illustrate its usefulness for the analysis of organic matter characterisation, nitrogen release or biogas composition in anaerobic digestion. The application of the methodology for a rigorous integration of different IWA models is proposed for further study.

A numerical model for predicting the flow in clarifiers is presented which accounts for density-affected and turbulent flow as well as for the settling of activated sludge. The reliability of the two-dimensional model is demonstrated through verification by means of a laboratory experiment which was specially designed for this purpose. The numerical model is then applied for an evaluation of inlet and outlet arrangements. The inlet is positioned at the bottom and the inlet aperture is varied. An outlet at the top of the end wall is compared with outlets longitudinally extended at the surface. The alternatives are assessed by analysis of streamline patterns, layer charactersitics and the entrainment into the bottom current, i.e. the increase of its flow rate. The study demonstrates how numerical modelling can be used for systematic evaluation of the effect of geometrical configurations on the flow in secondary clarifiers.