Bellandi, Giacomo

Giacomo Bellandi holds a PhD and MSc in civil and environmental engineering obtained at Ghent University (Belgium) and Florence University (Italy). His background is water and wastewater treatment processes modelling and field monitoring. He started his career at Florence University and Politecnico di Milano before fully joining AM-Team. At AM-Team, as senior simulation engineer, he focuses on the (bio)kinetic modelling and advanced oxidation processes. AM-Team supports utilities and tech companies worldwide on the next level process operation and design.

Titles from this speaker

Description: A Virtual Full-scale Ozonation Plant for Micropollutant Removal: How to Reduce...

A Virtual Full-scale Ozonation Plant for Micropollutant Removal: How to Reduce (Eliminate?) Piloting Efforts

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The AMOZONE kinetic ozonation model was applied for assessing the suitability of ozonation for the removal of micropollutants (MPs) from the effluent of three full-scale Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs). The model was calibrated on the real water matrix. Different control strategies for MPs removal and bromate (BrO3) formation were tested. 11 MPs were considered from the list of guide MPs from the current Dutch rules. Results unraveled the complex dynamics behind O3 and HO* reactions. The virtual full-scale experiments revealed the potential MPs removal, the extent of production of BrO3 for the three virtual installations, and the influence of the upstream WRRF dynamics. OpEx and CapEx of the virtual full-scale installations were also assessed (the total cost varied between 9.0 and 10.7 cEUR/mÂ³). No onsite piloting or MPs analyses were needed and innovative controls could be tested.
INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND
Properly sizing a water treatment installation is of crucial importance, especially when the MPs removal must be completed with expensive technologies such as ozonation. Mechanistic models are nowadays supporting important decisions in design, optimization, revamping, and scale-up, and can be a powerful tool to save time and resources from long and expensive pilot testing. In addition to this, mechanistic models provide in-depth understanding of the complex net of reactions occurring in every point of an installation, impossible to study in real-life testing. In this work the potential MPs removal, the BrO3 formation risk, and the costs of three ozone installations for the WRRFs effluent were assessed and key questions were answered. This was possible by building and operating three virtual full-scale plants with the novel AMOZONE model.
METHODOLOGY
The AMOZONE model [1] mechanistically describes the complex net of reactions leading to the formation of BrO3 (inter alia: [2], [3]), hydroxyl radical (HO*) formation and scavenging, O3 reaction with the organic and inorganic water matrix, and a potentially limitless list of MPs which can be integrated.
Model calibration and validation
Several 24h secondary effluent composite samples of the Soerendonk, Eindhoven and Hapert WRRFs (operated by Waterboard De Dommel (WSDD), Netherlands) were provided, along with one month of high-resolution online data, and weekly lab analysis of the three effluents quality. Dedicated ozonation batch tests were performed in replicates on the samples at Ghent University lab in Kortrijk (Belgium) and IUTA lab (Germany) to assess reaction kinetics at two O3 dosages. During the batch testing, O3 and UVA254 decay, BrO3 production, and HO* concentrations (probe component) were measured as function of time. The results bench experiments were used to calibrate and validate the AMOZONE model.
Full/scale plant operational scenario analysis The model layout of the virtual O3 installation was conceived to ensure the necessary retention time for the O3 reactions to occur and for O3 to deplete completely (i.e. no final residual in effluent). Simulations of different control strategies for O3 dosage were run: i) O3/DOC proportional; ii) delta-UVA proportional; iii) MPs removal-based). Results were compared in terms of O3 demand, BrO3 and costs. The MPs removal-based control is a very novel control strategy as it implies the direct control of the O3 dose on MPs at a specific removal (not feasible without the model as MPs cannot be measured in real-time). The simulations also considered the contribution by the upstream biological treatment on MPs removal. Finally, an overview of CapEx and OpEx was provided in terms of volume of treated water (cEUR/m3) and yearly costs (kEUR/y). All the scenarios were run for 1 month of real plant operation. The online and offline data collected by WSDD were processed and used as model input to observe the effect of real dynamics on the different control scenarios.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Model calibration and validation An extensive model calibration and validation was performed on the results of the batch experiments. The results of the model calibration for the three effluents is presented (Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3). A cross-project validation of the model prediction capabilities was made comparing the results from this study with the results of the European CWPharma project [4]. In Figure 4, can be observed how the measured and simulated data of the first Swedish full-scale effluent ozonation plant (the LinkÃ¶ping WRRF, operated by Tekniska verken in LinkÃ¶ping) compare with the results of the Dutch plant of this study.
Dynamic simulations Knowing the detailed dynamics of the upstream WRRF helped in assessing its potential effect on the performance of the ozonation plant. In particular, the fluctuations in NH4 concentration, resulting from the combined effect of the influent dynamics and the WRRF airflow controller action, have a relevant effect on BrO3 formation (Figure 5). On the other hand, rain events and fluctuations in the water matrix (e.g. DOC, UVA) can also affect the removal of MPs (Figure 6). Scenarios analysis Figure 7 shows the peak demand of O3 for each of the scenarios. For this study, the peak demands resulted from the control strategy based on the highest O3/DOC. For all the scenarios, the BrO3 formation was evaluated and compared among the three different WRRFs (Figure 8). The BrO3 production is rather similar in the three plants due to similarities in the secondary effluents characteristics, even though the bromide concentration in Soerendonk (up to 400 Âµg/L) is higher than the other two plants (< 100 Âµg/L). The higher BrO3 is observed with O3/DOC = 1.0 gO3/gDOC, while in the other scenarios, the formation can be minimized due to the lower O3 dose applied. The peak in BrO3 in the delta-UVA controller in the Soerendonk case is mainly due to controller instability leading to moments with an applied dose higher than necessary. Finally, a cost calculation and a quantitative comparison was performed in terms of Total Costs (OpEx + CapEx) based on the model outcomes (Figure 9). The differences highlighted depend on the control strategy used (operational) or the plant size (capital). In fact, small-scale plants such as Soerendonk and Hapert have proportionally higher CapEx as compared to Eindhoven.
CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, an ozone installation was modelled in three WRRFs prior to building any pilot or full-scale installation, and a large amount of information was extracted concerning the water matrix reactions with O3 and HO*, the formation of BrO3, the removal of MPs, and cost analysis. The virtual O3 installations showed that the BrO3 formation risk in all the three plants is rather low. The calculated OpEx varied between 1.8 and 3.4 cEUR/mÂ³ treated. The total cost varied between 9.0 and 10.7 cEUR/mÂ³. A smart control based on the removal of MPs can potentially save around 10% OpEx compared to scenarios that are conventionally used.

The AMOZONE kinetic ozonation model was applied for assessing the suitability of ozonation for the removal of micropollutants (MPs) from the effluent of three full-scale Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs). The model was calibrated on the real water matrix. Different control strategies for MPs removal and bromate (BrO3) formation were tested. 11 MPs were considered from the list of guide MPs from the current Dutch rules. Results unraveled the complex dynamics behind O3 and HO* reactions.

SpeakerBellandi, Giacomo

Presentation time

09:25:00

09:40:00

Session time

08:30:00

10:00:00

TopicIntermediate Level, Microconstituents and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (Non-PFAS), Potable Reuse, Research and Innovation, Water Reuse and Reclamation

Author(s)

Bellandi, Giacomo

Author(s)Giacomo Bellandi1; Roberta Muoio1; Miguel Daza1; Usman Rehman1; P. van Dijk2; R. Schemen2; T. Weijtmans2; Wim Audenaert1

Author affiliation(s)AM-TEAM, Advanced Modeling for Process Optimisation, Gent, Belgium1; Waterboard De Dommel, Boxtel, The Netherlands2

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2022

DOI10.2175/193864718825158530

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count15

A Virtual Full-scale Ozonation Plant for Micropollutant Removal: How to Reduce (eliminate?) Piloting Efforts

Abstract

The AMOZONE kinetic ozonation model was applied for assessing the suitability of ozonation for the removal of micropollutants (MPs) from the effluent of a full-scale Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF). The model was calibrated on the real water matrix. Different control strategies for MP removal (considering the complete list of 11 guide MPs of the current Dutch legislation and an extended set of 19 MPs) and BrO3 formation were tested. Results unravelled the complex dynamics behind O3 and HO* reactions in this specific water matrix. The virtual full-scale experiments revealed the potential MP removal, the extent of production of BrO3 (average levels varied between 1 and 3 μg/L), and the influence of the upstream WRRF dynamics. OpEx and CapEx of the virtual ful-scale installation were also assessed (the total cost varied between 9.2 and 10.7 cEUR/m³). No onsite piloting or MP analyses were needed and innovative controls could be tested.

SpeakerBellandi, Giacomo

Presentation time

16:00:00

16:20:00

Session time

16:00:00

17:30:00

SessionKeeping the Taste of Your Own Medicine Out of Water

Session number318

TopicMicroconstituents

Author(s)

Giacomo Bellandi

Author(s)G. Bellandi1; M. Daza1; R. Muoio1; U. Rehman1; P. van Dijk2; R. Schemen2; T. Weijtmans2; W. Audenaert1;

Author affiliation(s)AM-TEAM, Advanced Modeling for Process Optimisation, Gent, BE1Waterboard De Dommel, Boxtel, DU2

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2021

DOI10.2175/193864718825158070

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count15

Description: Optimal Micropollutants Removal, Minimal Bromate Formation, and Improved Effluent...

Optimal Micropollutants Removal, Minimal Bromate Formation, and Improved Effluent Quality for the Eindhoven WWTP by Integrating Biological and Ozonation Models

Abstract

Water reuse is clearly becoming a concrete need and the removal of micropollutants (MPs) must be completed while coping with minimal bromate (BrO3) production while coping with effluent limits. The Netherlands will soon implement a national regulation for MPs removal and BrO3 discharge. This generates a rising interest in the application of ozonation at the effluent of WWTPs as one of the most cost-effective solutions to remove MPs, with the main drawback of BrO3 formation. However, if properly operated, ozone can be used while minimizing the BrO3 formation. Mechanistic models provide in-depth understanding of the complex net of reactions occurring in an installation. Waterschap De Dommel made and still makes large use of the Eindhoven WWTP biological model for optimisation, operation, and planning. In this work the Eindhoven WWTP biological model was extended with the AMOZONE model to investigate improved control strategies that could save energy and resources while coping with the effluent legislation

In this work the Eindhoven WWTP biological model was extended with the AMOZONE model to investigate improved control strategies that could save energy and resources while coping with the effluent legislation.

SpeakerBellandi, Giacomo

Presentation time

16:00:00

16:30:00

Session time

15:30:00

17:00:00

SessionOzonation: Water Reuse on a New Level

Session locationRoom S402a - Level 4

TopicAdvanced Level, Disinfection and Public Health, Microconstituents and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (Non-PFAS), Potable Reuse, Water Reuse and Reclamation

Author(s)

Bellandi, Giacomo

Author(s)G. Bellandi 1; R. Muoio 1 ; S. Daneshgarq 1; E. Torfs 2; R. Schemen 3; S. Weijers 3; U. Rehman 3; W. Audenaert 3; P. Vlasschaert 4;

Author affiliation(s)AM-TEAM, Advanced Modelling for Process Optimisation, Belgium 1; AM-TEAM, Advanced Modelling for Process Optimisation, Belgium 1 ; BIOMATH, Gent University,Gent (Belgium)/ Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource recovery (CAPTURE) 1; BIOMATH, Gent University, Gent (Belgium)/ Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource recovery (CAPTURE)) 2; Waterschap De Dommel, Boxtel, The Netherlands 3; Waterschap De Dommel, Boxtel, The Netherlands 3; AM-TEAM, Advanced Modelling for Process Optimisation, Belgium. 3; AM-TEAM, Advanced Modelling for Process Optimisation, Belgium. 3; Waterschap De Dommel 4;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825159044

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count21

Description: Ozonation Digital Twin For Predicting Micropollutants Removal At The Wervershoof...

Ozonation Digital Twin For Predicting Micropollutants Removal At The Wervershoof (NL) WWTP, Pilot and Demonstration-Scale Testing

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Indirect reuse of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent can play an important role in building a resilient water future (Bullard et al., 2019). When reuse is considered, the presence of micropollutants (MPs) is an issue that needs to be addressed. Wervershoof WWTP (the Netherlands), operated by water authority Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK), illustrates of how the different parts of the water cycle are interlinked (Hoekstra et al., 2021). Ijssel Lake is the receiving water body, a main drinking water source of the North-Holland province. HHNK, PWN Water Supply Company North-Holland (PWN), and PWNT are working closely together on an advanced treatment project to tackle MPs problem. In this collaborative framework, knowledge in drinking water production and wastewater treatment with today's power of digital twins for advanced testing and monitoring, were combined to target MPs removal. A 700 m3/h ozonation facility that allows the testing of three different ozone dosing systems will be used. Reuse will also be explored using an additional pilot-scale facility of 5 mÂ³/h combining ozone, coagulation, and ceramic membrane filtration. For each of those systems, AM-Team is currently building a tailored digital twin based on the mechanistic ozonation model AMOZONE to: 1) predict in real-time MP removal, bromate formation, and other key variables, 2) assess the impact of upstream WWTP dynamics on ozonation, 3) run in-parallel virtual piloting test and 4) maximise process efficiency and performance. This paper outlines the digital twin concept for advanced treatment and provides the first model calibration results. This is the first step in obtaining digital twins for aiding the removal of MPs at the Wervershoof WWTP.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Digital twin AMOZONE is a kinetic process engineering model for ozonation and advanced oxidation processes that mechanistically predicts ozone (O3) and hydroxyl radical (HO*) concentrations in real water matrices (Audenaert et al., 2019). The removal of MPs is predicted based on literature reaction rate constants (O3 and HO*) and the model is fed with real water matrix data and configured with actual process settings (Figure 1a). The model contains equations for bromate formation and chemical reactions of other species (carbonates, nitrite, ammonia, â€¦). The model allows the assessment of different reactor configurations and O3 injection strategies (Figure 1b). For model calibration, experiments from bench scale bubble column were used and the real wastewater characteristics (e.g. DOC, pH, Alk, etc.) and process settings (volume, gas flow rate and concentration, â€¦) were implemented as model inputs. Experimental results of MP removal and bromate formation were used to assess the model performance. Experimental data The Wervershoof WWTP is a conventional activated sludge plant with a capacity around 270.000 person equivalent. The results from testing with a 6L bench-scale bubble column (Figure 2) using the real WWTP effluent were used to calibrate and validate the AMOZONE model. The column was used to study MP degradation and bromate formation at different O3/DOC dosing ratios (0.2 to 1.5 g/g). A fixed gas flow was injected for a given period to achieve the required O3/DOC dosage. Prior to the experiments, the bubble column was filled with 6L of the intended water matrix. The fluid flow direction was from the top of the reactor to the bottom. Another pilot scale ozone installation treating 10 m3/h and using a hybrid (Roturi) injection system (manufacturer Up2e!), was used to perform the same tests on the same WWTP effluent. Results from this installation were used for further validation of the AMOZONE model. All experiments were run with the real WWTP effluent. In parallel with calibration of the kinetic model based on bench-scale data, all four ozonation systems will be modelled in 3D using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with integrated ozonation kinetics. Thus, the final digital twins will not be based on ideal hydraulic assumptions (e.g. 'completely mixed') and will include real non-ideal flow behaviour.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The comparison between predicted and measured MP removal during model calibration is shown in Figure 2. The experimental results had decreasing uncertainty (on the ozone dose) with increasing ozone dose particularly for the bench-scale bubble column. Interestingly, the model showed increasing agreement with the experimental results at increasing ozone doses. Important to note is that literature reaction rate constants for the individual MPs were used in the model and remained unchanged also during the validation of the model. For the experiment with the 0.7 O3/DOC ratio, HO* radical formation seemed to be overestimated by the model, leading to higher predicted removal of ozone resistant MPs. The calibrated model also replicated the bromate experimental data, however, further verifications of the experimental results are ongoing. Despite the same water origin, the samples used for calibration and validation were significantly different from each other in composition (DOC, N-species, pH, â€¦), these differences were considered by the model (see Figure 1a). The agreement between the model results and the experimental data increased with the increasing ozone dose, confirmed the reduced experimental uncertainty on the actual dose applied (Figure 2 and Figure 3). The overestimation of HO* levels became more visible at lower O3/DOC ratios, e.g. Diclofenac.
An additional validation step was performed with the Roturi pilot results maintaining unchanged the calibrated and validated model parameters derived from the bubble column experiments. The average removal of the 11 Dutch indicator MPs is reported in Figure 4 along with the comparison with the experimental data. As visible from the overestimation of the MPs average removal at the lower O3/DOC ratio, the modelled and experimental dose might not be aligned. This could be due to the different transfer efficiency of the injection system which was difficult to assess at O3/DOC ratio lower than 0.3 due to generator limitations. Currently, the experimental results of bromate need further verification before the comparison with the predicted bromate formation.
CONCLUSIONS
In the framework of developing a full-scale digital twin, the initial calibration and validation results of the AMOZONE digital twin model look promising. The model was calibrated and validated using experimental results from ozonation tests performed on Wervershoof WWTP effluent. The model was also additionally validated against the Roturi, a completely different experimental setup in terms of size, O3 injection system, but treating the same WWTP effluent. The model captured the main trends in MP removal at different doses. Different ozone doses, secondary effluent characteristics and the MP specific rate constants were considered. This was the first step in obtaining digital twins for the removal of MPs at the Wervershoof WWTP. The digital twins will help in building a sustainable water future in North-Holland.

The challenges of increasing water scarcity and micropollutants (MPs) are a timely issue worldwide. A digital twin for advanced wastewater treatment is currently being established in the Netherlands. The local water authority HHNK and drinking water company PWN work closely to operate a digital twin that runs in real-time with four onsite advanced treatment trains for improved monitoring and decision making. Using an integrated approach, experiences in wastewater treatment and drinking water pro

SpeakerBellandi, Giacomo

Presentation time

13:30:00

13:55:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

TopicAdvanced Level, Disinfection and Public Health, Microconstituents and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (Non-PFAS), Water Reuse and Reclamation

Author(s)

Bellandi, Giacomo

Author(s)G. Bellandi1; R. Muoio1; M. Hoekstra2; M. Daza1; S. Duchi1; M. Spruijt3; J. Versteegh2; U. Rehman1; W. Audenaert1

Author affiliation(s)AM-Team, Advanced Modelling for Process Optimisation, Ghent, Belgium1; Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands2; PWNT, Andijk, The Netherlands3

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2022

DOI10.2175/193864718825158578

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count17