Dynamic Performance Simulation and Treatment Alternatives Evaluation for Process Intensification for a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Toronto

Process intensification has become imperative for Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) to cope with growing urbanisation and stricter environmental regulations. Currently treating less than half its rated capacity, North Toronto Treatment Plant (NTTP) is subject, in this study, to upgrade opportunities examination for an influent increase to 45MLD. A plant-wide model for NTTP was developed using BioWin simulation tool; the model was calibrated and validated based on historical records and sampling campaign measurements from the plant. The validated model served to assess the plant performance and determine the optimum among five technology alternatives under various conditions: (1) current feed flow, (2) plant rated capacity, and (3) summer and winter season. State Point Analysis (SPA) was performed to examine the secondary clarifiers performance under current and potential loading conditions. It was found that the Ludzack-Ettinger (L-E) configuration was better than Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) and Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE), under current and increased influent flow rates, in terms of Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) objectives compliance, and cost effectiveness, whereas Membrane Aerated Bioreactor (MABR) technology offered better effluent quality without overloading the secondary clarifiers. This study also demonstrated the effect of aeration on the biomass stoichiometric and kinetic parameters, through the calibration of the plant models using two separate datasets from 2017-2021 and summer 2022.