• The expected direct impact, if implemented in all the WWTPs operated by ACCIONA, could prevent the annual emission of 1,125 tons of CO2, and minimize the use of chemical products in the different stages of the wastewater treatment process.

In line with its commitment to sustainability and innovation, ACCIONA has launched the HADES project, “Decision Support Tool for the optimization of WWTPs operation”, in collaboration with the Chemical and Environmental Engineering Laboratory (LEQUIA) research group of the University of Girona.

The HADES project pursues the development of a virtual replica or digital twin of a wastewater treatment Plant (WWTP). This digital twin will be based on biokinetic and hydrodynamic modeling in different platforms and languages, and will interact with artificial intelligence tools and advanced control strategies.

The final objective is to optimize the operation of the WWTPs with modern multivariable control techniques. In this way, the reactive operation paradigm, common in most WWTPs, will be replaced by a proactive approach that will provide efficiency and long-term stability to the treatment facilities.

To do this, HADES will integrate internal and external plant data, expert knowledge and calibrated models in real time in a solution that will function as a digital twin, that is, a virtual duplicate of the treatment process of a WWTP.

As a result, HADES will help to optimize the wastewater treatment processes to prevent future unwanted events such as deflocculation, formation of biofoams, filamentous bulking, etc., guaranteeing a significant reduction in the energy used, an improvement in the quality of the effluents and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, thanks to this project it will be possible to carry out detailed monitoring of the treatment processes, including a virtual sensor functionality, that will allow to know operating parameters that are difficult to monitor online in a conventional WWTP.

HADES will be part of an Edge computing solution, which will be validated at the La Almunia de Doña Godina WWTP in Zaragoza. However, the solution will be widely replicable, and can be implemented in both new and existing plants, thus generating a competitive advantage for ACCIONA within the sector.

The expected direct impact, if implemented in all the WWTPs operated by ACCIONA, could prevent the annual emission of 1,125 tons of CO2, and minimize the use of chemical products in the different stages of the wastewater treatment process.

The HADES project, with a budget close to one million euros and coordinated by ACCIONA, has the strategic participation of the LEQUIA Research Group of the University of Girona, with wide experience in the development of modeling tools and decision support systems within the water sector.

ACCIONA, with extensive experience in the design and operation of sewage treatment plants, is immersed in a global digitalization process. The development of this project contributes to reinforce its commitment to innovation and the application of the latest technologies, under the principles of the circular and low carbon economy.

This publication is part of the HADES project (Código: CPP2021-009097), financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union-NextGenerationEU/PRTR

With the support of the Industrial Doctorate Plan of the Secretariat for Universities and Research of the Department of Business and Knowledge of the Generalitat of Catalonia

 

Source: Smart Water Magazine