Conference Agenda

A digital twin nutrient controller running a hybrid model fed with live and historical data is being developed, piloted and evaluated through The Water Research Foundation (WRF) project 5121: Development of Innovative Predictive Control Strategies for Nutrient Removal. For ease of reference, the project team has named the controller ODIN - Operational Decision-making Intelligence for Nutrient Control.

The hybrid controller combines the strengths of machine learning with mechanistic modelling. It uses both live data from SCADA as well as historical and current laboratory data. Its components include data tools, a raw sewage soft sensor, machine learning based autocalibration of the mechanistic model at its core, machine learning based forecasting, and a machine learning based emulator of the mechanistic model. This generic structure is being used to develop and pilot nutrient controllers for four full-scale facilities in an advisory mode. The research team has been very focused on not only the technical aspects of ODIN, but also the User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX), which Clean Water Services (CWS) has been leading.

The first pilot site (four total) of the ODIN controller will be the CWS Durham facility, located in Tigard, Oregon. Durham (24 MGD average treated flow) must meet a stringent seasonal monthly median effluent phosphorus limit. Primary clarifier alum addition is used to manage phosphorus loads to the aeration basins doing enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Currently, primary clarifier alum feed is controlled to maintain an operator entered mg/L alum dose. Therefore, the phosphorus load to the aeration basins varies day to day. The ODIN controller will recommend a daily alum dosing set point to maintain an operator entered target phosphorus load to the aeration basins. Initial results have so far shown to be promising, as well as providing several potential additional benefits around dynamic flow and COD/TKN 15-minute predictions in the raw sewage.

This presentation will cover both technical and human adoption aspects of the ODIN pilot test at the Durham facility. The design approach of the UI/UX to facilitate adoption of ODIN by Durham staff will be reviewed and lessons learned, both technical and cultural, will be provided.

The Puget Sound Nutrient general permit (PSNGP) requires dischargers to submit a nitrogen optimization plan and nutrient reduction evaluation or AKART evaluation (NRE) to Ecology. Through the Association of Washington Cities, Jacobs is preparing both the NOP and NRE to meet permit requirements for more than 25 dischargers.

This presentation will summarize progress on the work to date, give costs (capital, operation and maintenance and dollars per pound removed) from the discharger community as well as estimated sewer rate and environmental justice impacts for both optimization and nitrogen removal. The presentation will outline the pathway forward to a summary Puget Sound regional nutrient study, provide lessons learned in optimization and nutrient reduction evaluation from the plant assessment performed to date, possible future uses of the data being gathered to support sound decision making on nutrient management going forward.