e> Pergamon WQl. Sci Tech. Vol. 31, No.2, pp. 1-'1. 1995.

Copyright C 19951AWQ
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THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE MODEL NO.2:

BIOLOGICAL PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL

W. Gujer*, M. Henze**, T. Mino***, T. Matsuo***,

M. C. Wentzelt and G. v. R. Maraist
·Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, EAWAG, 8600
Dubendorf, Switurland
··Technical University of Denmark. Department of Environmental Science and
Engineering, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
···University of Tokyo, Department of Urban Engineering, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
l/3, Japan
t University ofCape Town. Department ofCivil Engineering, Rondebosch, 7700,
South Africa

ABSTRACT

The Activated Sludge Model No. 2 is incroduced as a further development of Activated Sludge Model No. I.
Model No.2 inuoduces pbospborus accumulating organisms (PAO) and allows us to simulate the bcbaviouc
of biological nutrient removal activated sludge systems. Typical wastewater composition and a set of
stoichiometric and kinetic parameterS are provided in order to make reasonable predictions. The model bas
not yet been calibrated or verified in any full·scaIe application. This report contains a simplified version of
the full Model No.2; the full model is published in the fmal report of lbe Task Group (Henze et al., 1994).

KEYWORDS

Activated sludge; mathematical modelling; biological phosphorus removal; niuification; deniuification;

stoichiometry; kinetics; phosphorus accumulating organisms; PAO; lAWQ Task Group.

INTRODUcnON

In 1987 the IAWQ (fonnedy IAWPRC) Task Group for Mathematical Modelling for Design and Operation
of Biological Wastewater Treatment introduced the Activated Sludge Model No. I which allows simulation
of the behaviour of niuifying and denitrifying activated sludge systems which treat primarily domestic
wastewater. This Model No.1 has become a major reference for further research work and is the basis for
many software packages applied in the design and operation of treatment plants.

In the meantime practice has overtaken Model No.1: biological phosphorus removal, which is not included
in Model No. I. is becoming the state of the art. More than 7 years after Model No.1 was published. it is
time to review the possibilities of proposing an updated Model No.2. which includes the features of
activated sludge systems which have become readily available in the meantime. The Task Group is fully
aware of the fact that today we do not have an understanding of the processes involved in biological
phosphorus removal to a similar degree of reliability as was the case in 1987, when Model No. 1 was
proposed for nitrogen control. Nevertheless the Task Group hopes that Model No.2 will become a common
reference from which to start the discussion of further developments.
1
2 W. GUIER et al.

A key feature of Model No. 1 was that it introduced a matrix format for the presentation of stoichiometric
and kinetic information of biological processes. It was primarily this format which allowed communication
of complex information in a form which was easy to read and to understand. In addition the consistent use of
continuity (conservation) principles reduced the number of required model parameters to a minimum. Both
the matrix format and the conservation principles support the development of software, which is required
when such models are to be applied. They will be retained for Model No.2.

Introducing Model No.2, this paper will focus on those aspects of Model No.2 which are new, and which
may lead to debate in the scientific community. The value of Model No. 2 should be judged by the
discussions which it may stimulate rather than by the accuracy with which it describes the most complicated
activated sludge systems. It is left to future versions of the model to become reliable tools in the design and
operation of biological nutrient removal systems.

GENERAL REMARKS

In comparison with Model No. 1 the prime feature of Model No. 2 is that it introduces Phosphorus
Accumulating Organisms (PAOs) as a new group of microorganisms in the activated sludge. These
organisms represent all different types of microorganism which are able to accumulate phosphorus in the
form of stored polyphosphates. Description of the activity of PAOs must be based on cell internal
components such as stored poly-phosphate and polyhydroxyalkanoates this leads; to models which include
the cell internal structure of the biomass (structured biomass).

Model No.2 does not distinguish between the composition (structure) of individual cells but considers only
average properties of the biomass. Since each cell has a different history, its composition will typically
deviate from the population average (e.g. it mayor may not contain storage products). This is of importance
because kinetic expressions used in Model No.2 are non-linear and therefore average behaviour may not be
predicted from average properties. In view of the additional problems that population models would
introduce, the Task Group took the pragmatic decision to accept these problems and to propose Model No.2
based on average properties.

DEFINITION OF COMPONENTS OF MODEL NO.2

Model No.2 uses many different components in order to characterize the wastewater as well as the activated
sludge; they are defined below. It is important to realize that the components are not defined by an analytical
procedure but rather by a theoretical definition. Chemical analysis may be used to approximately determine
the concentration of some of these components, other components may only be estimated based on elaborate
experiments; fmally there are even components which are introduced only because they are needed in Model
No.2 to link the different processes in a way which has some physical meaning, these components may be
identified only with the aid of the full model (see e.g. definition of XpHA below). COD is the basis for
organic material and is introduced as a theoretical concept: it expresses the amount of oxygen which is
required to oxidize organics to CO2, H20 and NH 3, where NH 3 is chosen because the dichromate method to
analyze for COD approximates this end-product for most organic nitrogen.

pefinition of Soluble Components'S?:

SA [MCODL-3j: fermentation products, considered to be acetate. Since fermentation is included in the

biological processes. the fermentation products must be modelled separately from other soluble organic
materials: they are end-products of fermentation. For all stoichiometric computations, it is assumed that SA
is equal to acetate. in reality a whole range of other fermentation products is possible.

SALK [MHC03-L-3j: alkalinity of the wastewater. Alkalinity is used to approximate the conservation of
electrical charges in biological reactions. Alkalinity is introduced in order to obtain an early indication of
possible low pH conditions, which might inhibit some biological processes. For all stoichiometric
computations, SALK is assumed to be bicarbonate, HC0 3-, only.
 The Activated Sludge Model No.2 3

SF [McooL-J ): fermentable, readily biodegradable organic substrates. This fraction of the soluble COD
is directly available for biodegradation by heterotrophic organisms. It is assumed that SF may serve as a
substrate for fermentation, therefore it does not include fermentation products SA'

SI [MCODL-J): ine~ soluble organic material. The prime characteristic of SI is that these soluble organics
cannot be degraded m the treatment plants dealt with in this paper and will appear in the effluent. This
material is assumed to be part of the influent.

SNZ [M NL-3): dinitrogen, Nz· Dinitrogen is assumed to be the only product of denitrification. SN2 may be
subject to gas exchange, parallel with oxygen, S02'

SNH4 [MNL.J]: ammonium plus ammonia nitrogen. For the balance of the electrical charges, SNH4 is
assumed to be NH4+ only, whereas in reality it consists of NH 3 + NH4+-N.

SN03 [M NL·3]: nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen (NOJ - + N0z'-N). SN03 is assumed to include nitrate as well
as nitrite nitrogen, since nitrite is not included as a separate model component. For all stoichiometric
computations, SN03 is assumed to be NOf only.

Soz [MozL-3]: dissolved oxygen. Dissolved oxygen may be subject to gas exchange.

Sp04 [MpL-3]: inorganic soluble phosphorus, primarily orthophosphates. For the balance of electrical
charges, it is assumed that SPQ4 consists of 50% H2P04- and 50% HP042., independent of pH.

Ss [M CODL-3]: Readily biodegradable substrate. This component was introduced in Model No.1. In
ModelNo.2, it is replaced by the sum of SF + SA-

Definition of Particulate Components 'X?:

XAUT [M CODL-3]: autotrophic nitrifying organisms. Nitrifying organisms are responsible for
nitrification, they are obligate aerobic, chemo-litho-autotrophic. It is assumed that nitrifiers oxidize
ammonium SNH4 directly to nitrate SN03 (nitrifiers include both Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter).

XH [MCODL-J]: heterotrophic organisms. These organisms are assumed to be the 'all-rounder'

heterotrophic organisms, they may grow aerobically and anoxically (denitrification) and be active
anaerobically (fermentation). They are responsible for hydrolysis of particulate substrates X s and can use all
soluble degradable organic substrates (SA and SF) under the relevant environmental conditions.

XI [MCODL.J]: inert particulate organic material. This material is not degraded within the systems of
interest but rather is flocculated onto and removed with the activated sludge. XI may be a fraction of the
influent or may be produced in the context of biomass decay.

XpAO [M CODL-3]: Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms (PAD). These organisms are assumed to be
representative for all types of polyphosphate accumulating organisms. The concentration of X pAO does not
include the cell internal storage products X pp and XpHA but only the 'true' biomass.

XpHA [MCODL-J]: this is a cell internal storage product of pt.osphorus accumulating organisms, PAD.
It includes polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), glycogen, etc. It occurs only associated with XpA() it is however
not included in the mass of X pAO' X PHA cannot be directly compared with analytically measured PHA or
glycogen concentrations: XpHAis only a functional component. X pHA may however be recovered in COD
analysis, where it must satisfy COD conservation. For stoichiometric considerations, PHA is assumed to
have the chemical composition of polyhydroxybutyrate, (C 4H60 z>o'

Xpp [MpL-J]: Polyphosphate. Polyphosphate is a cell internal inorganic storage product of PAO. It occurs
only associated with XpAO, but is however not included in the mass of XPAC>- It is part of the particulate
4 w. GUIER n al.
phosphorus and may be analytically observed as a fraction of total phosphorus. For stoichiometric
considerations. polyphosphates are assumed to have the composition (Ko.33MgO.33P03)o'

Xs [M CODL-3]: slowly biodegradable substrates. Slowly biodegradable substrates are high molecular
weight. colloidal and particulate organic substrates which must undergo cell external hydrolysis before they
are available for degradation. It is assumed that the products of hydrolysis (SF) may be feemented.

XTSS [MTSS L"3]: total suspended solids, TSS. Total suspended solids are introduced into the biokinetic
models. in order to compute their concentration. via stoichiometry. Since phosphorus removal introduces
mineral fractions into the activated sludge. prediction of TSS becomes important

TABLE I. Stoichiometric Matrix for Dissolved Components of the Activated Sludge Model No.2. All
Coefficients for Which Only the Sign (either + or -) is Given. May Be Computed From Conservation
Principles

Stoichiometric Matrix for Dissolved Components

Process SOl SF SA SNH4 SNOJ Sp04 S[ SALK SNl
1 Aerobic Hydrolysis +1 + + +
2 Anoxic Hydrolysis +1 + + +
3 Anaerobic Hydrolysis +1 + + +
Heterotrophic Organisms: Xn
4 Growth on Sp - -llYn - - ·
5 Growth on SA - -llYn - - +
6 Denitrification with SF -llYn - - - + +
7 Denitrification with SA -llYn - - - + +
8 Fermentation -I +1 + + -
9 Lysis + + +
Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms (PAO): XPAO
10 Storage ofXpHA -1 +YPQ4 ·
11 Storage of Xpp . -1 +
12 Aerobic Growth - - . -
13 Lysis of XPAO + + +
14 Lysis of Xpp +1 ·
15 Lysis of XPHA +1 ·
Nitrifying Organisms (Autotrophic Organisms): XAUT
16 Growth - - llYAUT - ·
17 Lysis + + +
AlI stoichiometric coefficients. which are given with their sign only (+ or .) mal be predicted based on
conservation principles. COD conservation serves to predict the stoichiometry 0 S02' Sp. SN03 and Sm:
N conservation is used for SNH4; P conservation for SP04; conservation of electrical charges for SALK'
Stoichiometry for XTSS is based on conversion factors from COD and P to TSS. The details for the
determination of these stoichiometric coefficients are given in the fmal report of the Task Group.
 The Activated Sludge Model No.2 s

TABLE 2. Stoichiometric Matrix for Particulate Components of the Activated Sludge Model No.2. All
Coefficients for Which Only the Sign (either + or -) is Given, May Be Computed From Conservation
Principles

Stoichiometric Matrix for Particulate Components

Process X[ Xs Xu XPAO Xpp XPHA X AUT XTSS

1 Aerobic Hydrolysis -1 -
2 Anoxic Hydrolysis -I -
3 Anaerobic Hydrolysis -I -
Heterotrophic Organisms: Xu
4 Growth on SF +1 +
5 Growth on SA +1 +
6 Denitrification with SF +1 +
7 Denitrification with SA +1 +
8 Fennentation
9 Lysis fI 1-fI -1 ·
Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms (PAO): XPAO

10 Storage of XPHA -YP04 +1 ·

11 Storage of Xpp +1 -YPHA +

12 Aerobic Growth +1 -1/YPAO ·

13 Lysis ofXPAo fI I-fI ·1 ·
14 Lysis ofXpp -1 -
15 Lysis of X PHA -1 -
Nitrifying Organisms (Autotrophic Organisms): X AUT
16 Growth +1 +

17 Lysis fI l·fI -1 ·
See footnote of Table 1 for the explanation of those stoichiometric coefficients, which are only
given with their sign (+ or -).

THE BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF MODEL NO.2

Introducjn~ the Actiyated SIud~e Model No.2

A simplified version of the Activated Sludge Model No.2 is presented in Tables I to 3. The stoichiometry
for all soluble components is introduced in Table I and for all particulate components in Table 2 whereas the
kinetic expressions are introduced in Table 3. Since space is scarce in this paper, only the highlights of
Model No. 2 are discussed here. For a full discussion of Model No. 2 the fmal report of the Task Group
ought to be consulted.

In Tables I and 2 some stoichiometric coefficients which may be predicted based on conservation principles
are introduced with their typical sign (+ or -), depending on whether they are produced (+) or consumed (.).
6 W. GUIER el al.

The application of conservation principles is described in detail in the fmal report of the Task Group (Henze
eta/., 1994),

TABLE 3. Kinetic Expressions For the Activated Sludge Model No.2, The symbols for the kinetic
parameters are identified in Table 6

Process Rate equation p

Hydrolysis Processes
1 Aerobic K... Soz Xs/X u ,X
Hydrolysis H
Koz+Soz Kx+Xs/X H
2 Anoxic Koz SNP' Xs/X u ,X
K.. 'l1No,' H
Hydrolysis K
Koz+Soz N03 +SN03 Kx+Xs/X H
3 Anaerobic K... 11. . Koz KNP ] Xs/X u ,X
Hydrolysis H
Koz + Soz KN03 +SNO] Kx+Xs/XH
Heterotrophic Organisms: Xu
4 GrowthonSp Soz .~.~. SNU' SPO. SAl.!!: .X u
IlH'
Koz+Soz Kp+Sp Sp+SA KNU • +SNU' Kp+ SPO. KAU: +SAU:
5 Growth on SA Soz .~.-.!L-. SNU' SPO. ,X
11K' H
Koz+S oz KA+S A Sp+SA KNU4 +SNU4 Kp +SPQ4
6 Denitrification IlH .llN03 . Koz . ~~ . • SNU4 SNP] SPO. ,X
H
on Sp Koz +Soz Kp +Sp Sp +SA KNU4 +SNU4 KN03 + SN03 Kp+SP04
7 Denitrification llH'l1N03' Koz •~• -.!L-
. SNU' . SNO] SP04
'X H
on SA Koz+Soz KA+SA Sp+SA KNU4 +SNU • KN03+SN03 Kp+S P04
8 Fermentation lire'Koz KNO ] .2e....-. SAl.!!: ,X H
Koz+Soz KN03 +SN03 K. + Sp KAU:+SAU:
9 Lysis bH,XH

Phosphorous Accumulating Organisms (PAO): XPAO

10 Storage of XPHA qPUA" ----!L- Xpp / XPAO . XPAO
KA+SA Kpp+Xpp/XPAO
11 Storage of Xpp S02 SP04 XP!IA IX uo KMAX - Xpp I XPAO ,X
qpp' Koz+Soz Kps +Spo•• KPUA +XPUA IX PAO KIPI' +KMAJ( - Xpp IX pAO PAO
12 Aerobic Growth Soz SNU' SAl.!!: SPO. X!'HA/X uo
onXPHA J,tPAO' Koz +Soz KNU4 +SNU' KAU: +SAU: Kp+S P04 KPUA +XPUA/X PAO ·X pAO
13 Lysis ofXpAO bpAG ·XPAO .SALK I(K ALK +SAU:)
14 LysisofXpp bpp ·Xpp .SALK/(KALK+SALK )
15 Lysis ofXPHA bPUA ,X PUA .SALK I(K ALK +SALIt)
Nitrifying Organisms (Autotrophic Organisms): X AUf
16 Growth J,tAUT .Soz SNH4. SPO. SAl.!!: ,X AUT
Koz + Soz KNU4 + SNU4 Kp+ SP04 KALIt + SALIt
17 Lysis bAUT •XAUI'
Kinetic expressions in Table 3 make extensive use of hyperbolic switching functions for many components.
These functions are needed to activate and deactivate the different processes depending on the environment
 The Activated Sludge Model No.2 7

and on the metabolic state of the organisms. Based on experience with Model No.1, this form of kinetics is
used for numeric convenience rather than for mechanistic accuracy.

Processes 1 to 3: Hydrolysis

The rate of hydrolysis of colloidal material X s to fermentable, readily biodegradable organic substrates SF
depends on the available electron acceptor. Model No. 2 distinguishes between aerobic (S02 > 0), anoxic
(S02 = 0, SN03 > 0) and anaerobic (S02 = 0, SN03 = 0) conditions. Whereas the stoichiometry for these
processes is identical, the rate equations (Table 3) differ. Beyond the hydrolysis processes of Model No.1,
anaerobic hydrolysis is introduced in Model No.2 because an anaerobic environment is an essential part of
any biological phosphorus removal system.

Processes 4 to 9: Heterotrophic Or~anisms

Heterotrophic organisms are assumed to grow under aerobic and anoxic (denitrifying) conditions. They may
use either SF or SA as their electron donor. The kinetic expressions for the four growth processes 4 to 7
make use of the fact that the readily biodegradable substrate Ss of Model No.1 corresponds to Ss = SF + SA-
The sum of the rates for degradation of SF and SA is close to the degradation rate for SS in Model No.1.

Under anaerobic conditions, heterotrophic organisms may ferment SF to SA-In order to simplify
stoichiometry, fermentation is described as a simple transformation and not as a growth process.

Lysis stands for all processes which lead to a loss of heterotrophic biomass: Predation, maintenance,
endogenous respiration, cell lysis, etc.

Processes 10 to 15: Phosphorus Accumulatin~ Or~anisms (PAOs)

It is assumed that phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) may under aerobic conditions store soluble
phosphorus SPQ4 in the form of cell internal poly-phosphates X pp. The required energy for this process
stems from cell internal organic storage products X pHA (Process 11). If fermentation products SA are
available, PAOs are assumed to store these organics in the form of polyhydroxyalkanoates X pHA under all
environmental conditions. The energy for this process 10 is derived from the hydrolysis of polyphosphates
Xpp and leads to the release of soluble phosphorus SPQ4. The only organic substrates for the aerobic growth
of PAOs are the stored polyhydroxyalkanoates XpHA (Process 12). Since PAOs have cell internal storage
products Xpp and XpHA,lysis of these organisms must include these products (Processes 13 to 15).

Kinetic expressions for processes 10 to 12 depend heavily on the average ratio of storage products Xpp and
X pHA per PAO-biomass X pAO' Even though these expressions are similar to the kinetic expressions for
hydrolysis processes (Xs / XH) they describe a qualitatively different phenomenon: hydrolysis is a cell
external process, storage is a cell internal phenomenon. Whereas the kinetic saturation parameter Kx for
hydrolysis may be interpreted to a first approximation as the amount of X s required to cover the surface of
the heterotrophic biomass, the saturation parameters KpHA and Kpp indicate cell internal properties of the
PAOs, KMAX stands for the maximum possible polyphosphate content of the PAOs.

As introduced in Tables I to 3, Model No.2 does not include the possibility that PAOs may grow and store
polyphosphates under anoxic conditions: this is a severe limitation. Denitrification by PAOs is observed in
many full-scale systems and Model No.2 may easily be adapted to this situation if processes 11 (storage of
Xpp) and 12 (aerobic growth of PAOs) are duplicated. The stoichiometric coefficient for S02 is shifted to
=
SN03 (vN03 = v02/2.86) and SN2 (vN2 -vN03)' The rates of these processes may be slower and must be
inhibited by S02 and activated by SN03' Model No.2 does not contain these two processes, because they are
not yet characterized in sufficient detail.
Processes 16 and 17: Nitrification
The model for nitrification is identical to Model No.1, except that the phosphorus requirement for the
growth of the autotrophic organisms is considered. It is possible to include the production of nitrite in the
,MT n·a-l
8 W. GUJER et al.

context of nitrification by introducing Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter as separate groups of microorganisms.

Since the production, consumption and effects of nitrite in the context of denitrification and biological
phosphorus removal are largely unknown. this possibility is not included in Model No.2.

Precipitation of Phosphorus

Model No. 2 includes processes to model chemical precipitation of phosphorus. These processes are
documented in the final report of the Task Group.

TYPICAL WASTEWATER COMPOSmON AND MODEL PARAMETERS

It is the responsibility of the user of Model No.2 to determine the concentrations of relevant components in
the wastewater as well as the stoichiometric and kinetic parameters, which apply to the specific case to be
dealt with. Absolute numbers of these parameters ARE NOT PART OF MODEL NO.2, but are a necessity
for the application of the model to a specific case. In Tables 4 to 6 the Task Group provides a list of typical
concentrations of model components in a primary effluent as well a set of model parameters. The application
of Model No.2 is not meant to be reliable with these parameters but these values are provided in order to test
the computer code and as flfSt guesses to design experiments.

TABLE 4. Short Definition of Model Components and Typical Wastewater Composition (Primary Effluent)

CODtol = 260 gcoDm-J, TKN = 25 gNm-J, TP = 6 gpm·J

Dissolved Components:
S02 Dissolved oxygen 0 ~2m-3
Sp Fennentable readily biodegradable substrate 30 gcooID·3
SA Fennentation products (Acetate) 20 gcoD!I1·J
SNH4 Ammonium 16 gNm-3
SN03 Nitrate (plus Nitrite) 0 gNm-3
SP04 Phosphate 3.6 gpm·3
SI Inert, non biodegradable organics 30 gcooID·3
SALK Bicarbonate alkalinity 5 Mol~3m-3
SN2 Dinitrogen (Nv 0.78 atm at 20·C 15 gNffi'
Particulate Components:
XI Inert, non biodegradable organics 25 gcooID·3
Xs Slowly biodegradable substrate 125 gcooID·3
XH Heterotrophic biomass 30 gcooID-3
X PAO Phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) 0 8co~-3
Xpp Stored poly-phosphate of PAOs 0 gpm-
X PHA Organic storage products of PAOs 0 8coom,3
X AUT Autotrophic, nitrifying biomass 0 gcooID,3
XTSS Particulate material as a model componenta) 180·) gTSSm·3
.) This value is larger than the TSS which may be measured analytically, since it includes the fraction
of Xs , which would hrs through the ruter in the TSS analysis. XTSS may also include some inert
mineral materials, w .ch are contained in the influent but not accounted for by other components.
For the above values analytically measured TSS (0.45 J.Ull) would be approximately 120 gTSS m·3.

Wastewater Composition

Table 4 introduces the composition of a typical primary effluent as expected in central Europe. The relative
composition of the wastewater depends heavily on the local situation. In Switzerland, where sewers are steep
and aerobic. SF and SA are very low and X s and X H are increased. In the Netherlands, where sewers are flat
and anaerobic, SA is high and X s is possibly low.
 The Activated Sludge Model No.2 9

The total observed concentrations for COD, phosphorus (TP) and Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) must be
compared with the values computed with the aid of the conversion factors used for the determination of the
stoichiometric coefficients (Table 5). As an example, the TKN may be computed from:

TABLE 5. Definition and Typical Values for the Stoichiometric Coefficients of the Activated Sludge Model
No.2. Missing Factors May Be Predicted From Chemical Stoichiometry

Typical conversion factors for conservation equations:

Nitrogen:
Soluble Material:
iNSI N content of inert soluble COD SI O.oI gN g'~ooD
iNsp N content of soluble substrate Sp 0.03 gN g' COD
Particulate Material:
~NXI N content of inert particulate COD XI 0.03 gN gCOD'~
~NXs N content of particulate substrate Xs 0.04 gN gCOD-
lNBM N content of biomass XH• XPAO> XAUT 0.07 gN~D-
1

Phosphorus:
Soluble Material:
ipsI P content of inert soluble COD 51 0.00 gp g'~COD
~SP P content of soluble substrate Sp O.oI gpg" COD
articulate Material:
!PXI P content of inert particulate COD XI O.ol gp gCOD"~
lpXS P content of particulate substrate Xs O.ol gp gCOD"t
iPBM P content of biomass XH• XPAO•XAUT 0.02 gpgcoD"
Total Suspended Solids:
iTSSXI TSS to XI ratio 0.75 gTSS g'~COD
iTSsxs TSS to Xs ratio 0.75 grssg'tcoD
iTSSBM TSS to Biomass ratio for XH• XPAO' XAUT 0.90 grss go COD
Typical Stoichiometric Constants
Heterotrophic Organisms Xu
YH Yield coefficient 0.63 gCODg"~COD
fXI Fraction of inert COD generated in biomass lysis 0.10 gCODg" COD
Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms X~~
YPAO Yield coefficient (Biomass I P 0.63 gCOD g-lCOD
YP04 PP requirement (S~ release) for PHA storage 0040 gpg" t
YPHA PHA requirement or PP storage 0.20 gCOD~
fXI Fraction of inert COD generated in biomass lysis 0.10 gooDg-looD
Nitrifying Organisms X,\UT
YAUT Yield coefficIent (Biomass I Nitrate) 0.24 gOOD g-t N
fXI Fraction of inert COD generated in biomass lysis 0.10 gcoog-tCOD

Stoichjometry

In Table 5 the composition of the different components is characterized with the aid of conversion factors
in? These factors indicate the nitrogen. phosphorus and TSS content of the components and are used to
compute the stoichiometric coefficients which are predicted based on conservation principles. Some
10 W. GUIER tl al.

components are defined by chemical composition, conversion factors for these components may be obtained
from chemical stoichiometry.

Whereas all im values might be obtained from chemical analysis of the different components (if ever they
were available in pure fonn) the stoichiometric constants (yield coefficients and f XI) may only be obtained
from experiments which include the active biomass.

TABLE 6. Defmition and Typical Values for the Kinetic Parameters of the Activated Sludge Model No.2

Temperature 20'C lO'C Units

Hydrolysis:
~ • Hydrol';su rate constant 3.00 2.00 d':
TlN03 • Anoxic bydrolysis reduction factor 0.60 0.60 .
• Anaerobic bydrolysis reduction factor 0.10 0.10 .
~ • Saturat· ,nflllhibition coefficient for oxygen, S02
KN03 • Saturau\lnfmhibition coefficient for nitrate, SNOO
0.20
0.50
0.20
0.50
kzlll"
gN-n"
Kx • Saturat::lD <:oefficient for particulate COD, Xs 0.10 0.30 k\lD&·I CXlD
Heterotrophic Organisms:
IlH • Maximum growth rate on Substrate 6.00 3.00 d·1
Qt. • Maximum rate for fermentation 3.00 1.50 icooi·lcood· 1
TlN03 • Reduction factor for denitrifICation 0.80 0.80 -1
~ • Rate constant for lysis 0.40 0.20 d·
• Saturationfmhibition coefficient for oxygen, S02 0.20 0.20 io2ffi.,
Kp • Saturation coefficient for re::wth on Sp 4.00 4.00 kooI'I"
Kr• • Saturation coefficient for ennentation of Sp 20.00 20.00 k:ooIt1"
K" • Saturation coefficient for acetate, S" 4.00 4.00 ~.,

KN03 • Saturationfmhibition coefficient for nitrate, SNOO 0.50 0.50 gN'll')

KNH4 • Saturation coefficient for SNH4 as a nutrient 0.05 0.05 IN'll"
Kp • Saturation coefficient for ~ a nutrient 0.01 0.01 Ipm"
KAUt • Saturation coefficient for . 'ty. SALI: 0.10 0.10 moleHCOlm"
Pbospborus Accumulating Organisms:
lImA • Rate constant for storage of PHA 3.00 2.00 1coo[lpA{ji·1
Qpp • Rate constant for storage of PP 1.50 1.00 Iprg' PAad·1
IlPAO • Maximum growth rate 1.00 0.67 d'
bpAO • Rate constant for lysis ofXpAO 0.20 0.10 d·1
bpp • Rate constant for lysis of Xpp 0.20 0.10 d·1
~ • Rate constant for lysis of XPHA 0.20 0.10 d·1
• Saturation coefficient for S02 0.20 0.20 io2ffi,)
KA • Saturation coefficient for acetate, SA 4.00 4.00 &coii11.,
KNH4 • Saturation coefficient for anunonium, SNIl4 0.05 0.05 IN'll"
Kps • Saturation coefficient for SPQ4ln PP storage 0.20 0.20 gpm"
Kp • Saturation coefficient for ~ a nutrient 0.01 0.01 gpm"
KALIt • Saturation coefficient for . 'ty, SALIt 0.10 0.10 moleYCOlm"
Kpp • Saturation coefficient fO~Oly-pbospbate, Xpp 0.01 0.01 Ippg'I PAO
KMAl( • Maximum ratio OfXpr,' 'X,AO 0.34 0.34 gPPg"IPAO
KIPP • Inhibition coefficient or x:..
KpHA • Saturation coefficient for PHA
storage 0.02
0.01
0.02
0.01
gppg" Pf:.O
IpHAI' PAO
Nitrifiers:
IlAUT - Maximum growth rate 1.00 0.35 d·1
~UT • Decay rate 0.15 0.05 d·1
2 • Saturation coefficient for oxygen. S02 0.50 0.50 102m"
KNH4 • Saturation coefficient for anunonium, SNH4 1.00 1.00 gNm"
KALIt • Saturation coefficient for alkalinity, S.&t,1t 0.50 0.50 molerco3m"
Kp • Saturation coeffICient for pbosphorus, P04 0.01 0.01 Ipm'

In Table 6 a set of all kinetic parameters of Model No. 2 is introduced together with a typical temperature
dependency. This set has not been verified against experimental data but is introduced here in order to
make parameters available, which yield predictions in the right order of magnitude. The values have been
chosen based on the collective experience of the different members of the Task Group; they do not relate to
any specific wastewater or application of Model No.2.
 The Activated Sludge Model No.2 11

APPUCATION OF TIlE AC17VATED SLUDGE MODEL NO.2

The application of Model No. 2 r~quires the. use of numeric integration of mass balance equations. Today
several software packages are aVllllable. whIch allow us to apply Model No.2 to the simulation of a vast
variety of activated sludge flowschemes. The model has been tested with the aid of ASlM (Activated Sludge
SIMulation Program) Version 3. which is in the public domain.

As of 1994 Model No.2 has not yet been calibrated and verified for any full-scale application. It is the hope
of the Task Group that the model as proposed will spur discussion and further development of biological
nutrient removal systems and operating strategies. experimental techniques. and mathematical models. The
group is convinced that mathematical modelling is an efficient way of transmitting theoretical ideas and
concepts. If Model No.2 becomes a reference point to which we can relate in future discussions. it has more
than fulfilled its obligation.

CONCLUSIONS

The IAWQ Task Group for Mathematical Modelling for Design and Operation of Biological Wastewater
Treatment is introducing the Activated Sludge Model No. 2 which allows simulation of the behaviour of
biological nutrient removal activated sludge systems. As of 1994 the model has not been calibrated for
application to any specific case example. The Task Group hopes that this model will be a point of reference
fOf future discussions and the basis for the development of a reliable model for biological phosphorus
removal systems.

In 1987. when the IAWPRC Technical and Scientific Report No. I on the 'Activated Sludge Model No. l'
was published. the scientific base for the description of nitrification and denitrification in activated sludge
systems was sound and engineers who were able to propose comprehensive models were scarce. Today the
introduction of a mathematical model for biological phosphorus removal is on less safe ground. The Task
Group anticipates criticism but at the same time expects that the growing community of 'modellers' unite to
bring forward the next generation of reliable models.

LITERATURE

The Task Group has been influenced by the vast literature which is available on the topic of biological
nutrient removal. An indication of the sources would have made this report very much longer, so the group
has therefore decided not to list any particular references. The Group trusts that the scientific community
understands this uncommon procedure. The final report of the IAWQ Task Group will be published under:

Henze. M.• Gujer, W., Mino, T.• Matsuo. T., Wentzel, M. C. and Marais. G. v. R. (1995). Activated Sludge
Model No. 2./AWQ Scientific and Technical Reports, No.3. IAWQ. London.