Method of optimal process monitoring wasterwater treatment plant and system performing thereof

Abstract

The method for monitoring an optimal process in a wastewater treatment plant according to the present invention may include: a data receiving step for receiving biological treatment data within a reactor in real time; an analysis step for generating a dissolved oxygen curve and a microbial oxygen uptake rate curve based on the received data, and analyzing the change pattern of the curves to determine the microbial activity and the toxicity of the influent water; a state determination step for generating control state information including the operating state of the reactor and the process step in progress according to the analysis result; an anomaly determination step for determining the possibility of toxic substance inflow and generating a warning signal when the oxygen uptake rate decreases below a reference value according to the analysis result; and a log management step for storing and displaying the real-time data, analysis result, and anomaly determination result in the form of a data log.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a wastewater treatment plant and a system for implementing the same. More specifically, it relates to a method for monitoring a wastewater treatment plant and a system for implementing the same that utilizes a measuring instrument capable of sequentially measuring the toxicity of the influent water in a flow equalization tank and the microbial activity of a biological reactor to enable the blocking of toxic substances detected by detection and the reduction of electricity costs through the control of the airflow volume of the biological reactor, thereby optimizing the process of the wastewater treatment plant. Background Technology

[0003] Wastewater treatment plants are facilities that treat domestic and industrial wastewater and discharge purified water into nature, and they include a biological treatment process that utilizes microorganisms to decompose organic pollutants.

[0004] One of the most critical factors in these biological treatment processes is oxygen supply. Since microorganisms consume oxygen during the process of decomposing pollutants, wastewater treatment plants use fans to continuously supply air.

[0005] However, existing blower systems have limitations in that they cannot immediately respond to changes in the contamination level of the incoming water because they maintain a constant airflow or operate using a simple timer method.

[0006] Generally, the concentration and composition of pollutants entering wastewater treatment plants fluctuate frequently depending on the time of day or season, and may contain unexpected toxic substances. Despite such significant variations in the influent, controlling the airflow using conventional methods may lead to the following problems.

[0007] First, if a constant airflow rate is maintained even when the influent is at a low concentration, microorganisms may receive more oxygen than necessary, preventing efficient decomposition of organic matter and potentially leading to over-aeration. This results in unnecessary power consumption and leads to increased operating costs for wastewater treatment plants.

[0008] Second, conversely, when the influent contains a high concentration of organic matter, a blower operating at the existing settings may fail to supply sufficient oxygen, potentially leading to a decrease in microbial activity. If microorganisms are unable to properly decompose organic matter, the quality of the effluent deteriorates, and treatment performance declines.

[0009] Third, wastewater flowing into wastewater treatment plants may include industrial wastewater in addition to domestic sewage, and some of this wastewater may contain toxic substances that inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Existing wastewater treatment plants lack the capability to measure the toxicity of influent water in real time; consequently, if toxic substances enter the biological reactor, they can drastically reduce microbial activity. This leads to the death of microorganisms, requiring subsequent reactivation or cultivation for normal treatment, which incurs significant time and cost.

[0010] Fourth, conventional wastewater treatment plants typically operated by manually adjusting the airflow or relying on simple setpoints. This approach fails to account for the variability in the characteristics of the influent, resulting in wasted electricity and reduced treatment performance. Furthermore, if the operating conditions of the biological reactor are not optimized, the quality of the effluent may be inconsistent, making it difficult to comply with environmental regulations.

[0011] To address these issues, recent research has focused on optimizing airflow rates by utilizing microbial activity (OUR, Oxygen Uptake Rate) and dissolved oxygen (DO, Dissolved Oxygen) measurement technologies. OUR is an indicator representing the rate at which microorganisms consume oxygen, showing higher values ​​as organic matter decomposition becomes more active. On the other hand, DO refers to the amount of oxygen dissolved in water and tends to increase as pollutants within the bioreactor are decomposed.

[0012] Some studies are developing technology to estimate the contamination level of influent water based on OUR and DO measurements and to adjust the airflow rate as needed. However, the limitations of existing systems are as follows.

[0013] First, equipment capable of measuring OUR and DO is installed individually in the bioreactor, and it is difficult to obtain data for the entire bioreactor with a single measuring device.

[0014] Second, existing measurement systems lack the capability to detect the toxicity of influent water in advance, so problems can only be identified after the water has entered the bioreactor.

[0015] Third, due to limited capabilities for measuring and analyzing OUR and DO in real time, there is a lack of automated systems to rapidly adjust airflow. The problem to be solved

[0017] The present invention aims to provide a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method and a system for implementing the same, which enable the optimization of the wastewater treatment plant process by blocking toxic substances detected by using a measuring instrument capable of sequentially measuring the toxicity of the influent water of the flow control tank and the microbial activity of the bioreactor, and by controlling the airflow rate of the bioreactor.

[0018] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method capable of measuring the toxicity and organic matter concentration of influent water in real time and analyzing changes in microbial activity of the bioreactor to automatically adjust the airflow rate, and a system for implementing the same.

[0019] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method and a system for implementing the same, which can prevent the reduction of microbial activity and death by measuring TOC (Total Organic Carbon) and OUR (Oxygen Uptake Rate) of the influent water in a flow equalization tank to analyze the concentration and characteristics of pollutants, and by detecting in advance if toxic substances are contained in the influent water and blocking the inflow to the bioreactor.

[0020] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method and a system for implementing the same, which monitors the organic matter decomposition process by sequentially measuring OUR and DO in real time from the front (initial) to the end (rear) of a bioreactor, and analyzes the OUR and DO values ​​when they deviate from the normal range at a specific stage to diagnose whether there is a decrease in microbial activity or over-aeration.

[0021] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method and a system for implementing the same, which can improve the stability of wastewater treatment plant operations and save energy through real-time airflow control by analyzing OUR and DO data to reduce the airflow when there is an over-aeration state and increase the airflow when there is an oxygen deficiency state.

[0022] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method and a system for implementing the same, which visualizes OUR and DO measurement data in real-time graphs and on system screens to enable a quick overview of the decomposition trends and treatment status of pollutants, activates an alarm system upon detection of an anomaly to allow for immediate action, and supports remote process adjustment.

[0023] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method and a system for implementing the same, which enables the construction of a smart wastewater treatment plant that meets the 2050 carbon neutrality goal by reducing unnecessary airflow, reducing power consumption of the wastewater treatment plant through optimal oxygen supply, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

[0025] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims. means of solving the problem

[0027] A method for optimal process monitoring of a wastewater treatment plant to achieve these objectives may include: a data reception step for receiving biological treatment data within a reactor in real time; an analysis step for generating a dissolved oxygen curve and a microbial oxygen uptake rate curve based on the received data, and analyzing the change pattern of the curves to determine microbial activity and the toxicity of the influent water; a state determination step for generating control state information including the operating status of the reactor and the process step in progress according to the analysis results; an anomaly determination step for determining the possibility of toxic substance inflow and generating a warning signal when the oxygen uptake rate decreases below a reference value according to the analysis results; and a log management step for storing and displaying the real-time data, analysis results, and anomaly determination results in the form of a data log. Effects of the invention

[0029] According to the present invention as described above, there is an advantage in that the process of a wastewater treatment plant can be optimized by blocking toxic substances detected by using a measuring instrument capable of sequentially measuring the toxicity of the influent water of the flow control tank and the microbial activity of the bioreactor, and by controlling the airflow rate of the bioreactor.

[0030] In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the toxicity and organic matter concentration of the influent water can be measured in real time and the change in microbial activity of the bioreactor can be analyzed to automatically control the airflow rate.

[0031] In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the concentration and characteristics of pollutants are analyzed by measuring the TOC (Total Organic Carbon) and OUR (Oxygen Uptake Rate) of the influent water in the flow rate adjustment tank, and if toxic substances are contained in the influent water, they are detected in advance and blocked from entering the bioreactor, thereby preventing the reduction of microbial activity and death.

[0032] In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the organic matter decomposition process can be monitored by measuring OUR and DO (Dissolved Oxygen) in real time from the beginning (initial) to the end (later) of the bioreactor, and if the OUR and DO values ​​deviate from the normal range at a specific stage, it can be analyzed to diagnose whether the activity of microorganisms has decreased or is overactive.

[0033] In addition, according to the present invention, by analyzing OUR and DO data, reducing the airflow when there is an over-aeration state and increasing the airflow when there is an oxygen deficiency state, there is an advantage of improving the stability of wastewater treatment plant operation and saving energy through real-time airflow control.

[0034] In addition, according to the present invention, OUR and DO measurement data can be visualized in real-time graphs and on system screens to identify the decomposition trends and treatment status of pollutants at a glance. When an abnormality is detected, an alarm system can be activated to enable immediate action, and it has the advantage of supporting process adjustment even remotely.

[0035] In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that it is possible to build a smart wastewater treatment plant that meets the 2050 carbon neutrality goal by reducing unnecessary airflow, reducing power consumption of the wastewater treatment plant through optimal oxygen supply, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0037] FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram for explaining a wastewater treatment plant monitoring system for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an interface of a program providing a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a screen of a sampling point setting program for actual measurement at each process step during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a database screen of the wastewater treatment plant airflow control and process diagnosis system during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a screen that allows separate upper and lower limit alarm values ​​of other surrounding environment sensors to be set at sampling points measured at every stage during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention. Figure 7 is a screen showing a case where pollutants flowing into a wastewater treatment plant undergo normal decomposition in a biological reactor during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention. Figure 8 is a screen showing a non-toxic, low-concentration pollutant flowing into a wastewater treatment plant during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention, and an over-aeration phenomenon occurring at the downstream end of the biological reactor. Figure 9 is a screen showing a case in which non-toxic high-concentration pollutants are introduced into the wastewater treatment plant during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention, and the pollutants are actively decomposed even at the downstream end of the biological reactor. FIG. 10 is a screen showing the measured values ​​sequentially displayed as a graph on the screen according to the process progress stage during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0038] The aforementioned objectives, signatures, and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram for explaining a wastewater treatment plant monitoring system for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring system includes a flow rate adjustment tank (100), a biological reactor (200), a wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300), and a blower volume controller (400).

[0042] The flow rate adjustment tank (100) is a control space for supplying wastewater flowing into the wastewater treatment plant to the biological reactor with a constant flow rate and characteristics. Since the amount of wastewater flowing in varies by time of day and the concentration and characteristics (toxicity) of pollutants fluctuate, the flow rate adjustment tank (100) plays a role in regulating the concentration of the influent water evenly so that the biological reactor (200) can operate stably, and detecting toxic substances in advance to take appropriate measures.

[0043] The bioreactor (200) decomposes organic matter in wastewater using microorganisms. Since the microorganisms require oxygen during the process of decomposing organic matter, air is supplied using a blower, and the oxygen intake (OUR) and dissolved oxygen (DO) of the microorganisms are monitored in real time to maintain optimal operating conditions.

[0044] The wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) monitors the toxicity and the decomposition process of pollutants in wastewater sampled at each point of the flow rate adjustment tank (100) and the bioreactor (200).

[0045] To this end, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) operates the influent pump during the influent inflow time and opens the influent inflow valve connected to the reactor overflow line, thereby filling the reactor with a certain amount of influent water, and the influent water overflowing through the influent inflow valve is returned to the flow rate adjustment tank (100) through the discharge pipe inside the device. This allows the time to be adjusted to discharge all remaining samples in the sampling pipe and replace them with fresh influent water.

[0046] Accordingly, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) can determine the condition of the influent water by measuring the pollution concentration (TOC) and the first microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR) of the influent water in real time during the influent water inflow time.

[0047] In one embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) can measure the contamination concentration (TOC) of the influent water based on [Equation 1].

[0049] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0050]

[0052] TOC avg : Average pollution concentration of influent during a specific time interval,

[0053] TOC: Contamination concentration of influent water,

[0054] T: Measurement time,

[0056] The above [Equation 1] is a formula for calculating the average TOC concentration by measuring the TOC concentration of the influent water during a specific time interval T. In this case, the method calculates the average by summing the total TOC values ​​through integration and then dividing the result by the total time T.

[0057] This [Mathematical Equation 1] is used to measure the contamination concentration of the influent water in the flow rate adjustment tank (100) of the wastewater treatment plant. Through this, the average concentration of organic pollutants flowing into the biological reactor (200) can be determined, and the appropriate airflow control and treatment process can be optimized.

[0058] Next, during the microorganism inflow time, the inflow water inflow valve is closed and the inflow water pump is stopped, thereby blocking the inflow of inflow water into the reactor, and after the microorganism inflow valve is opened, the microorganism pump is operated so that the microorganisms in the bioreactor (200) are transferred to the reactor and fill the reactor, which is a process of inoculating microorganisms to measure the microbial toxicity of the inflow water.

[0059] When the reactor is completely filled with a mixture of influent water and microorganisms, the microorganism inflow is terminated when the microorganism pump is stopped after the microorganism inflow valve is closed during the oxygen generation time, and the operation of the electric bubble generator inside the reactor and the bottom stirring motor of the reactor has the function of completely mixing the liquid and increasing dissolved oxygen (DO).

[0060] During the stabilization time, the reactor air bubble generator (302) is stopped and the stirring motor continues to operate to stably reduce the instantaneously increased dissolved oxygen (DO) value inside the reactor (301). During the measurement time, the stirring motor (303) continues to operate to maintain stable mixing and flow of the liquid, and the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms decomposing the influent water, i.e., the DO consumption amount, is calculated by the DO sensor installed inside the reactor (301) to measure the toxicity (OUR) of the influent water.

[0061] In one embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) can measure the toxicity level of the influent water based on [Equation 2].

[0063] [Mathematical Formula 2]

[0064]

[0066] T oxicity : Degree of toxicity of influent water

[0067] OUR control : Microbial oxygen uptake (OUR) measured in a standard (control) sample, representing the microbial oxygen consumption in normal, non-toxic influent water.

[0068] OUR sample : Microbial oxygen uptake (OUR) measured in influent samples, the rate at which microorganisms consume oxygen in the actual influent,

[0070] The above [Equation 2] is a formula for calculating how much toxic substances in the influent reduce the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR).

[0071] In one embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) is OUR sample and OUR control If this is the same, the toxicity level of the influent water is 0%, so it can be determined that the microorganisms are consuming oxygen normally and thus that there are no toxic substances in the influent water.

[0072] In another embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) is OUR sample This OURcontrol If the microbial oxygen consumption decreases, the toxicity of the influent increases, leading to the conclusion that the influent contains toxic substances.

[0073] In another embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) is OUR sample In the case of this value of 0, the microorganisms cannot consume any oxygen, so the toxicity of the influent water is 100%, and it is determined that the microorganisms have been completely killed due to strong toxicity, so it can be determined that the influent water has 100% toxicity.

[0074] After that, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) determines the characteristics of the influent water by comparing the contamination concentration (TOC) and the toxicity (OUR) of the influent water as shown in [Table 1].

[0076] [Table 1]

[0077]

[0078] In one embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) determines that if the total organic matter concentration (TOC) of the influent water is above a threshold value and the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR) is above a threshold value, the organic matter concentration is high and the microorganisms are actively consuming oxygen. That is, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) determines that the microorganisms are normally activated because organic matter is abundant, and thus can be normally introduced into the bioreactor (200), but can determine that an increase in the airflow volume is necessary depending on the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR).

[0079] In another embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) determines that if the total organic matter concentration (TOC) of the influent water is below a threshold value and the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR) is below a threshold value, the organic matter concentration is low and the oxygen consumption of the microorganisms is low. That is, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) determines that microbial activity is reduced due to a lack of organic matter and that normal inflow into the biological reactor (200) is possible, but since there is a risk of over-aeration due to the low organic matter, it can determine that a reduction in the airflow volume is necessary according to the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR).

[0080] In another embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) determines that if the total organic matter concentration (TOC) of the influent water is within the normal range and the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR) is below a threshold value, the organic matter concentration is normal but the microbial oxygen consumption (OUR) is reduced. That is, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) determines that the microorganisms are not functioning normally and that there is a possibility that toxic substances are contained, and since there is a high risk that the microorganisms will die if introduced into the biological reactor (200), the water is diverted to an emergency storage tank and then re-introduced into the biological reactor (200) after the toxicity has been mitigated.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) can measure the toxicity of the influent water as in [Equation 2] and block the inflow to the biological reactor (200) if it is above a certain standard.

[0082] In another embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) ensures that if the contamination concentration (TOC) of the influent water is within the normal range and the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR) is within the normal range, the influent water does not contain toxic substances and is allowed to flow normally into the bioreactor (200).

[0083] In addition, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) measures the microbial activity (OUR) by sampling the aeration tank liquid at each point from the first end (#1) to the last end (#N) of the biological reactor (200). At this time, the aeration tank liquid at each point from the first end to the last end of the biological reactor (200) can be sampled and measured without a separate influent.

[0084] In one embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) opens the motor-driven valve and the microbial inflow valve connected to the sampling pipe of the first stage (#1) of the biological reactor during the microbial inflow time and operates the microbial pump, so that the aeration liquid of the first stage (#1) of the biological reactor is transferred to the reactor and fills the reactor completely, and the remainder is discharged back into the biological reactor through the overflow line connected to the upper cap of the reactor.

[0085] Therefore, the microbial inflow time can be adjusted until the reactor is replaced with fresh aeration liquid, and during this time, the DO concentration of the aeration liquid is measured in real time through a DO sensor installed inside the reactor to derive an average value.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) closes the electric drive valve and the microbial inlet valve and stops the microbial pump during the oxygen generation time to block the inflow of the aeration tank liquid, and the electric bubble generator and stirring motor in the reactor operate to completely mix the microbial liquid and increase the dissolved oxygen (DO).

[0087] First, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) collects aeration tank liquid at regular intervals from key points from the first end (#1) to the end (#N) within the biological reactor (200). In this process, no additional influent water is added, and samples are collected that reflect the current state of microorganisms and dissolved oxygen levels operating inside the reactor.

[0088] Afterward, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) analyzes the sampled aeration tank liquid to measure the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR) at each point, thereby evaluating how effectively the microorganisms are decomposing the introduced pollutants. That is, if the microbial oxygen uptake rate (OUR) is high, it means that the microorganisms are actively decomposing organic matter, and if it is low, it means that the activity of the microorganisms has decreased or that the organic matter has been sufficiently decomposed.

[0089] In addition, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) measures the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) of microorganisms and measures DO at each point to evaluate the oxygen supply status within the bioreactor. If the DO value is too low, there is a high possibility that the decomposition activity of microorganisms will not be smooth due to insufficient oxygen supply, and conversely, if the DO value is too high, there is a possibility that excessive aeration will occur due to unnecessary oxygen supply.

[0090] As a result, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) controls the airflow rate using the OUR and DO of the bioreactor.

[0091] In one embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) determines that if OUR is above the threshold value and DO is below the threshold value, the oxygen consumption of microorganisms in the bioreactor is active, but the oxygen supply is insufficient, so additional oxygen must be supplied by increasing the airflow.

[0092] In another embodiment, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) must reduce the airflow to prevent energy waste, as if the OUR is below the threshold value and the DO value is above the threshold value, it indicates that the decomposition of pollutants has already progressed significantly or that unnecessary over-aeration is occurring.

[0094] FIG. 2 is an interface of a program providing a wastewater treatment plant monitoring method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 2, the interface includes a real-time data monitoring panel (210), a reactor system configuration display panel (220), and a data log panel (230).

[0096] The real-time data monitoring panel (210) displays a dissolved oxygen curve, a microbial oxygen uptake rate curve, and a control status. The dissolved oxygen curve is a graph that measures the DO (Dissolved Oxygen) value in the bioreactor in real time and displays it, allowing for visual analysis of the oxygen consumption pattern of the microorganisms. The microbial oxygen uptake rate curve is a graph that allows for real-time monitoring of the oxygen uptake rate and specific oxygen uptake rate values. A decrease in the oxygen uptake rate value suggests the possibility of toxic substances entering the system, while a high specific oxygen uptake rate suggests high activity of the microorganisms. The control status displays the current operating status of the system and the analysis stage in progress, allowing for real-time monitoring of whether the equipment is operating normally.

[0097] The reactor system configuration display panel (220) displays the internal devices of the reactor (310). The reactor (310) is a space where influent water and microorganisms react to decompose organic pollutants. This reactor (310) includes a reactor (301), a TOC sensor (not shown), a DO sensor (not shown), an OUR sensor (not shown), a stirrer (not shown), a reactor air bubble generator (302) and a stirring motor (303), a sensor cleaning valve (304), and a control unit (not shown).

[0098] The reactor (301) is a biological treatment space that decomposes organic pollutants by reacting the incoming contaminated water with microorganisms. Inside this reactor (301), the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration is maintained and the microbial activity is controlled to enable efficient decomposition of pollutants.

[0099] The reactor (301) stores the sample (mixture of contaminated water and microorganisms) introduced through the influent water inlet valve (315) and the microorganism inlet valve (320) and proceeds with the reaction.

[0100] In the reactor (301), when the influent water inlet valve (315) is opened during the influent water inflow time according to the control of the control unit, influent water is introduced from the flow rate adjustment tank. At this time, when the influent water inlet valve (315) is opened during the influent water inflow time, the contamination concentration of the influent water is measured through a TOC sensor while the influent water is introduced from the flow rate adjustment tank.

[0101] As described above, when the influent water inflow valve (315) is closed and the microorganism inflow valve (320) is opened during the microorganism inflow time after the influent water inflow time has ended, microorganisms are introduced from the bioreactor.

[0102] As described above, when the reactor (301) is completely filled with a mixture of influent water and microorganisms, the microorganism inflow valve is changed to a closed state during the oxygen generation time under the control of the control unit, the microorganism pump is stopped, and the microorganism inflow is terminated, and the complete mixing of the liquid and the dissolved oxygen (DO) are increased through the operation of the reaction tank electric bubble generator (302) and stirring motor (303) inside the reactor (301).

[0103] After that, under control by the control unit, the electric bubble generator (302) of the reaction tank is stopped during the stabilization time, and the stirring motor (303) continues to operate, so that the DO value inside the reactor (301), which was momentarily increased, is stably reduced. In addition, the stirring motor (303) continues to operate during the measurement time to stably maintain the mixing and flow of the liquid, and the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms while decomposing the influent water, i.e., the DO consumption amount, is calculated by the DO sensor installed inside the reactor (301) to measure the influent water toxicity (OUR).

[0104] The DO sensor measures the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in the reactor (301) in real time to analyze the oxygen consumption of microorganisms. As described above, it is an important indicator for determining whether the process is normal by measuring the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms as they decompose organic matter.

[0105] The OUR sensor analyzes activity by measuring the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms during the process of decomposing pollutants. A high OUR value indicates that microorganisms are actively decomposing organic matter, while a low value indicates that decomposition is complete or microbial activity has decreased.

[0106] The agitator uniformly mixes the influent water, microorganisms, and oxygen within the reactor to maintain an optimal reaction environment, ensuring that the oxygen and contaminants necessary for microorganisms to decompose organic matter are evenly distributed. Consequently, it maintains uniform microbial activity, thereby maximizing the efficiency of contaminant removal.

[0107] The reactor air bubble generator (302) operates during the oxygen generation time under the control of the control unit and serves to supply oxygen to maintain the microbial activity within the reactor (301). At this time, the reactor air bubble generator (302) generates air bubbles to increase the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and enables the microorganisms to smoothly perform organic matter decomposition. Therefore, the oxygen supply is automatically controlled so that it is neither excessive nor insufficient, and contributes to saving energy by reducing the operation amount of the blower.

[0108] Additionally, the reactor air bubble generator (302) is stopped during the stabilization time under the control of the control unit. However, the stirring motor (303) continues to operate to stably reduce the DO value inside the reactor (301) that has momentarily increased.

[0109] Additionally, the reactor air bubble generator (302) operates during the sensor cleaning time after the measurement of influent water toxicity is completed, under the control of the control unit. Accordingly, the sensor cleaning valve (304) connected to the cleaning nozzle of each sensor type measurement unit opens to perform pneumatic sensor cleaning.

[0110] Additionally, the reactor air bubble generator (302) is controlled by the control unit so that when the washing is finished, the sensor washing valve (304) is closed during the discharge time and the discharge valve connected to the bottom of the reactor (301) is opened to completely discharge the liquid that has been measured inside the reactor.

[0111] The inflow water inlet valve (315) supplies inflow water from the flow rate adjustment tank (100) to the reactor (301). At this time, the inflow water inlet valve (315) detects the concentration and toxicity of the inflow water and, if necessary, blocks the inflow and can bypass to an emergency storage tank.

[0112] The microbial inlet valve (320) introduces microorganisms from the bioreactor (200) into the reactor to promote the decomposition of pollutants. At this time, the amount of microorganisms introduced is controlled to maintain optimal microbial activity.

[0113] The microbial pump (330) serves to move microorganisms to the reactor (301). This microbial pump (330) is activated when the concentration of microorganisms in the bioreactor (200) is low or when additional microorganisms are needed.

[0114] Next, during the “microorganism influent time,” the inflow control motor valve is closed and the influent pump is stopped, blocking the inflow of influent water into the reactor, and the microorganism influent valve is opened and the microorganism pump is operated, transferring microorganisms from the bioreactor to the reactor and filling the top 1 / 5 of the reactor, which is a process of inoculating microorganisms to measure the microbial toxicity of the influent water.

[0115] The process step of Fig. 2 is the inflow step, in which the reactor is filled with influent water. Following this inflow step, an aeration step and a sedimentation step may be performed. As such, it is necessary to analyze the microbial activity and the toxicity of the influent water during the inflow step.

[0116] To this end, the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) can be measured and displayed on the real-time data panel (230). The initial dissolved oxygen (DO) is 5.79 mg / L as the amount of dissolved oxygen immediately after the influent is injected, and the final dissolved oxygen (DO) is 5.41 mg / L as the amount of oxygen decreases after the microbial reaction. At this time, the amount of decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO) is 0.38 ml, and since the OUR value is very low, it can be determined that the microbial activity is low or that there is a possibility of toxic substances being contained.

[0117] The data log panel (230) stores and displays real-time measured pH, temperature (Temp), dissolved oxygen (DO), OUR (oxygen uptake rate), and SOUR (specific OUR) values ​​in a table format. At this time, if the OUR value decreases rapidly, it warns of the possibility of toxic substance inflow, and if a decrease in OUR is detected at a specific point in time, an alarm is triggered immediately so that action can be taken.

[0119] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 3, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) first measures the microbial toxicity and TOC of the influent water in the flow rate adjustment tank to determine the characteristics and concentration of the influent water, and if there is no toxicity, measures the microbial activity and dissolved oxygen at each process stage to determine the trend of organic matter decomposition and the end time.

[0121] A wastewater treatment plant monitoring device (300) sets the OUR / DO normal range and upper / lower alarm values ​​for each sampling point being measured. If one alarm value deviates from the normal range, it displays the diagnosis and corrective action. If two alarm values ​​deviate from the normal range simultaneously, it generates an electrical signal to control the blower according to the situation, thereby controlling the blower volume.

[0122] In addition, by displaying measurements at each point as a real-time graph, it is possible to diagnose whether pollutants are decomposing normally within the limited reactor space, and to automatically adjust the airflow volume according to high-load and low-load conditions involving the inflow of toxic substances.

[0124] Figure 4 is a screen of a sampling point setting program for actual measurement at each process step during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention.

[0125] Referring to Fig. 4, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring system is a sampling and measurement system designed to effectively monitor the decomposition process of pollutants in sewage and wastewater treatment facilities.

[0126] Sampling lines are installed at regular intervals from the flow equalization tank, a key section of the treatment process, to the end of the bioreactor, allowing for the sequential measurement of dissolved oxygen (DO) and oxygen consumption rate (OUR) at each point. This enables real-time monitoring of microbial metabolic activity and the decomposition status of pollutants.

[0127] In particular, for batch reaction systems, a single sampling line is utilized to continuously measure changes in OUR and DO during a constant reaction period. Users can select a desired sampling point by clicking the square box located on the left side of the system interface, and the system is designed to allow continuous analysis by selecting only a single point if a specific point is to be measured continuously.

[0128] These systems contribute to the precise management of microbial reactions in the wastewater treatment process and the maintenance of optimal operating conditions, playing an important role in increasing the efficiency of pollutant decomposition.

[0130] Figure 5 is a database screen of the wastewater treatment plant airflow control and process diagnosis system during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention.

[0131] Referring to Fig. 5, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring system performs the function of precisely measuring and recording the oxygen consumption rate (OUR) and dissolved oxygen (DO) at each stage of the process in sewage and wastewater treatment facilities. The biological treatment process of wastewater generally proceeds in the order of "influent (toxic) → aerobic 1 → aerobic 2 → aerobic 3," and during this process, OUR and DO values ​​are measured to monitor the microbial activity and oxygen consumption patterns of each reaction section.

[0132] OUR measurements are performed at each process stage, and DO values ​​are collected in real time through DO meters installed around the sampling point while OUR is being measured at a specific location. The DO data collected during OUR measurement does not merely record individual numerical values; instead, the average DO value over the measurement period is calculated and stored. Furthermore, in addition to OUR and DO data, the time of measurement, the measurement point, and data collected from other environmental instruments (e.g., temperature, pH, turbidity, etc.) are stored together, enabling overall process monitoring and analysis.

[0133] This measurement process is continuously repeated by starting a new cycle immediately after completing one measurement cycle (1 Cycle) from the inlet point to the discharge point. That is, as soon as one cycle ends, the OUR and DO measurements for the next cycle are automatically performed, and the measured data is sequentially stored in a database (DB). Each data point is systematically organized according to the measurement time, and data management is performed so that it can be utilized for long-term process monitoring and analysis.

[0134] Through this, it monitors the microbial reaction status in the wastewater treatment process in real time and supports the maintenance of optimal operating conditions by immediately analyzing cases where oxygen supply is insufficient or oxygen consumption is excessive in specific processes. In addition, by comparing and analyzing OUR and DO change patterns upon the influx of toxins, it can detect early signs of decreased microbial activity, playing a crucial role in enhancing process stability.

[0136] FIG. 6 is a screen that allows separate upper and lower limit alarm values ​​of other surrounding environment sensors to be set at sampling points measured at every stage during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention.

[0137] Referring to Fig. 6, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring system provides the ability to individually set upper and lower limit alarm values ​​for OUR (oxygen consumption rate), DO (dissolved oxygen), and ambient environment sensor values ​​measured at each sampling point in order to precisely monitor the toxicity of influent water and the microbial activity status in the sewage and wastewater treatment process.

[0138] Through this system, users can pre-set normal ranges for environmental sensors, such as temperature, pH, and turbidity, as well as OUR and DO, for each process stage from the inflow to the outflow stage. If the values ​​fall outside the normal range, the system automatically generates an alarm, and the interface is configured to allow for the input of diagnoses and corrective actions. This supports a rapid response to abnormal conditions and enhances the stability of process operations by storing and managing data in real time.

[0139] In particular, since OUR and DO are affected by changes in temperature, microbial activity and dissolved oxygen concentration, they are designed to allow different normal ranges to be set for winter and summer seasons, taking into account seasonal variations.

[0140] For example, during the winter season, low temperatures are likely to reduce the metabolic activity of microorganisms, which may lead to a decrease in OUR values, so an appropriate range must be set. On the other hand, during the summer season, the activity of microorganisms may increase due to rising water temperatures, so OUR and DO values ​​must be set differently from those in the winter season.

[0141] Through this function, process operators can set optimal operating standards that reflect seasonal characteristics, and if the OUR and DO values ​​at a specific point fall outside the set normal range, they can immediately analyze the cause and take appropriate countermeasures.

[0142] In addition, diagnostic results and actions taken at each stage can be recorded within the system, allowing for the maintenance of process operational continuity and the continuous improvement of optimal operating conditions through long-term data analysis.

[0143] Consequently, this system helps to precisely manage microbial activity and the decomposition status of pollutants in the wastewater treatment process, and supports rapid response in the event of process abnormalities, thereby contributing to the improvement of overall process stability and efficiency.

[0144] Figure 7 is a screen showing a case where pollutants flowing into a wastewater treatment plant undergo normal decomposition in a biological reactor during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention.

[0145] Referring to Fig. 7, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring system provides a monitoring screen designed to verify whether the biological treatment process is operating normally. The wastewater treatment process proceeds from the influent stage through the aerobic 1, aerobic 2, and aerobic 3 stages of the biological reactor, in which pollutants are decomposed by microorganisms. This system evaluates the stability of the process by measuring the OUR (oxygen consumption rate), DO (dissolved oxygen), and ambient environment sensor values ​​in real time at each stage.

[0146] When the wastewater treatment process operates normally, all measured values ​​fall within the pre-set normal range. Accordingly, the following information is displayed on the system screen.

[0147] First, an OUR value within the normal range indicates that incoming organic matter and pollutants are being decomposed by microorganisms at an appropriate rate, and if the DO value is maintained at a normal level, it means that microbial respiration and oxygen supply within the bioreactor are proceeding smoothly. Additionally, if environmental sensor values ​​such as temperature, pH, and turbidity are within the normal range, it can be interpreted that an environment is being maintained where microorganisms can operate under optimal conditions.

[0148] When these conditions are met, a green 'N' indicator signifying a normal state lights up to the right of each measurement, indicating that no abnormalities were detected at that point. Additionally, no diagnostic message is generated, and the diagnostic section at the bottom of the screen remains empty. This indicates that pollutants entering the wastewater treatment plant are being normally decomposed and removed by microorganisms in the biological reactor, and that the treatment process is operating stably.

[0149] Therefore, this system supports easy identification of the normality of the processing process in real time, and provides clear visual feedback to the user when all measured values ​​are within the normal range, allowing for intuitive confirmation that the process is proceeding smoothly.

[0151] Figure 8 is a screen showing a non-toxic, low-concentration pollutant flowing into a wastewater treatment plant during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention, and an over-aeration phenomenon occurring at the downstream end of the biological reactor.

[0152] Referring to Fig. 8, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring system is designed to detect and automatically control the over-aeration phenomenon that may occur when non-toxic, low-concentration pollutants are introduced into the wastewater treatment plant.

[0153] Generally, in a bioreactor, microorganisms consume oxygen while decomposing incoming pollutants; however, when the concentration of incoming pollutants is low, the pollutants are rapidly decomposed in the middle to late stages of the bioreactor, causing a sharp decrease in the oxygen consumption of the microorganisms. As a result, the oxygen consumption rate (OUR) decreases, while the dissolved oxygen (DO) increases excessively.

[0154] When this phenomenon occurs, a condition is detected where the OUR value measured at the downstream end of the bioreactor becomes lower than the normal range (indicated by a red 'L') and the DO value becomes higher than the normal range (indicated by a blue 'H'). The system automatically recognizes this, and if the measured value deviates from the normal range, it displays an explanation of the current situation and appropriate measures in the lower diagnostic window so that the operator can check it immediately.

[0155] In particular, if a low OUR value and a high DO value occur simultaneously at a specific stage, it indicates that over-aeration is occurring in the bioreactor. At this time, the system generates a "reduce airflow" message at the bottom of the diagnostic display and simultaneously issues a blower control signal to automatically reduce the airflow of the operating blower. This minimizes unnecessary oxygen supply and allows the dissolved oxygen level in the bioreactor to be maintained at an appropriate level.

[0156] Through these automatic control functions, operators can optimize airflow based on actual measured OUR and DO data without separate intervention, prevent over-aeration, and save energy. In addition, it contributes to increasing the operational efficiency of the bioreactor by maintaining conditions under which microorganisms can decompose organic matter.

[0157] Consequently, this system is designed to ensure the operational stability of the wastewater treatment plant through real-time process monitoring and automatic control functions, prevent unnecessary energy waste, and maintain an optimal biological treatment environment.

[0159] Figure 9 is a screen showing a case in which non-toxic high-concentration pollutants are introduced into the wastewater treatment plant during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention, and the pollutants are actively decomposed even at the downstream end of the biological reactor.

[0160] Referring to Fig. 9, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring system is designed to detect and automatically control the phenomenon of active decomposition of pollutants even at the end of the biological reactor when the concentration of pollutants entering the wastewater treatment plant is high. Generally, in a biological reactor, microorganisms consume oxygen while decomposing incoming pollutants; however, when the concentration of incoming pollutants is high, the decomposition of pollutants may not be completed even in the middle to later parts of the biological reactor and may continue until the end.

[0161] Under these conditions, as microorganisms consume excessive oxygen to continue decomposing pollutants, the oxygen consumption rate (OUR) at the downstream end of the biological reactor is higher than the normal range (indicated by 'H' in blue), while the dissolved oxygen (DO) decreases rapidly and is lower than the normal range (indicated by 'L' in red). This indicates that the metabolic activity of microorganisms is not smooth due to insufficient oxygen supply within the biological reactor, and if sufficient oxygen is not supplied, pollutants may remain in the effluent, potentially leading to water quality deterioration.

[0162] When such anomalies are detected, the system automatically recognizes them and displays an explanation of the current situation and appropriate measures in the lower diagnostic window. In particular, if a state occurs where the OUR value is higher than normal (High) and the DO value is lower than normal (Low) simultaneously at a specific stage, this indicates that sufficient oxygen is not being supplied despite the increased oxygen demand of the microorganisms; therefore, a “Increase Airflow” message is generated at the bottom of the diagnostic display window. At the same time, the system generates a control signal to automatically adjust the airflow of the blower currently in operation to increase it.

[0163] This allows for the rapid supply of insufficient oxygen, facilitating the metabolic activity of microorganisms and enabling the complete decomposition of pollutants. Furthermore, residual pollutants at the end of the process are effectively removed, preventing the deterioration of effluent quality.

[0164] This system automatically adjusts the airflow by detecting OUR and DO values ​​in real time, thereby optimizing oxygen supply within the bioreactor without operator intervention. This reduces unnecessary airflow operations and energy consumption, while maintaining an optimal biological treatment environment.

[0165] Consequently, this system is designed to optimize the decomposition capabilities of microorganisms and maintain stable effluent quality by monitoring and automatically controlling the biological reactor process in real time, even when high concentrations of pollutants are introduced. This ensures operational stability, prevents water quality deterioration, and maximizes energy efficiency.

[0167] FIG. 10 is a screen showing the measured values ​​sequentially displayed as a graph on the screen according to the process progress stage during the wastewater treatment plant monitoring process according to the present invention.

[0168] Referring to Fig. 10, the wastewater treatment plant monitoring system performs the function of visualizing and displaying real-time OUR (oxygen consumption rate) and DO (dissolved oxygen) measurements in the form of graphs at each stage of the process in the flow equalization tank and biological reactor of the wastewater treatment plant. This allows for an intuitive understanding of whether the incoming pollutants are being properly decomposed and removed in the biological reactor.

[0169] The process of the bioreactor proceeds through the stages of influent → aerobic 1 → aerobic 2 → aerobic 3, in which pollutants are gradually decomposed by microorganisms. The system collects OUR and DO values ​​measured at each stage in real time and displays them as graphs, allowing the user to grasp the progress of the process at a glance.

[0170] Graphs of OUR and DO values ​​intersect and are displayed on the screen in real time, allowing verification of whether pollutants are being decomposed normally through these trend curves. Generally, when microorganisms decompose pollutants in a bioreactor, a pattern of high OUR values ​​and low DO values ​​is observed in the initial stages, followed by a tendency for OUR values ​​to decrease and DO values ​​to increase as the process progresses. By monitoring these changes in real time, it is possible to immediately diagnose whether the microbial reaction is proceeding normally or if an abnormality has occurred at a specific stage.

[0171] This system is designed not only to monitor OUR and DO values ​​but also to allow real-time data verification remotely. Therefore, it can perform the role of diagnosing processes not only in large-scale wastewater treatment plants but also in small-scale village sewage treatment plants that operate unmanned.

[0172] In particular, through the remote monitoring function, operators can check the status of the process in real time without visiting the site in person and respond quickly in the event of an anomaly. For example, if the OUR value increases sharply and the DO value decreases abnormally at a specific point, it suggests that the oxygen demand of microorganisms has increased, indicating a potential oxygen shortage. Conversely, if the OUR value drops sharply and the DO value increases sharply, it implies that the decomposition of pollutants has proceeded faster than expected or that an over-aeration phenomenon may have occurred.

[0174] Through these real-time monitoring functions, the system enhances the stability of the wastewater treatment process, supports the maintenance of optimal operating conditions, and maximizes operational efficiency. Furthermore, by providing remote management capabilities, it enables effective process diagnostics even in unmanned wastewater treatment facilities, contributing to improved maintenance convenience and reduced operating costs.

[0175] As a result, this system can be utilized as a comprehensive monitoring system equipped with the ability to perform remote process diagnosis in large-scale facilities and unmanned operation facilities, by providing real-time graphs of OUR and DO data in wastewater treatment plants, thereby making it easy to determine whether the process is proceeding normally.

[0177] Although the present invention has been described by limited embodiments and drawings, it is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible from this description by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the concept of the present invention should be understood only by the claims set forth below, and all equivalent or analogous variations thereof shall be considered to be within the scope of the concept of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0179] 100: Flow equalization tank, 200: Bioreactor, 300: Wastewater treatment plant monitoring device, 400: Airflow controller,

Claims

Claim 1 A method for monitoring an optimal process in a wastewater treatment plant, comprising: a data receiving step for receiving biological treatment data within a reactor in real time; an analysis step for generating a dissolved oxygen curve and a microbial oxygen uptake rate curve based on the received data, and analyzing the change pattern of the curves to determine microbial activity and toxicity of the influent water; a state determination step for generating control state information including the operating state of the reactor and the process step in progress according to the analysis result; an anomaly determination step for determining the possibility of toxic substance inflow and generating a warning signal when the oxygen uptake rate decreases below a reference value according to the analysis result; and a log management step for storing and displaying the real-time data, analysis result, and anomaly determination result in the form of a data log.

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