It is an important objective to find equilibrium between cost and effluent water quality at the Calumet water reclamation plants (WRP).... Show moreIt is an important objective to find equilibrium between cost and effluent water quality at the Calumet water reclamation plants (WRP). Kinetic parameters of activated sludge process have significant influence on effluent water quality. In this study, based on a simulation model, sensitivity analysis methods were used to assess the effects of six kinetic parameters on dissolved oxygen, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5), and effluent ammonia concentration. According to the values of kinetic parameter, two cases: ±10% perturbation of the typical default value and full parameter range were studied. Results presented that main effects have important effects on the output variables. Heterotrophic maximum specific growth rate, heterotrophic decay rate, autotrophic maximum specific growth rate, autotrophic decay rate, and maximum specific hydrolysis rate have relatively significant sensitivity. In addition, the influences of the interactions among kinetic parameters are discussed. Keys words: Kinetic parameters; sensitivity analysis; water reclamation plants; dissolved oxygen; CBOD5; ammonia M.S. in Environmental Engineering, July 2015 Show less
