The Use of Artificial Neural Networks and Decision Trees to Predict the Degree of Odor Nuisance of Post-Digestion Sludge in the Sewage Treatment Plant Process

Hubert Byliński, Andrzej Sobecki and Jacek Gębicki
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Hubert Byliński: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
Andrzej Sobecki: Department of Computer Architecture, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
Jacek Gębicki: Department of Process Engineering and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: This paper presents the application of artificial neural networks and decision trees for the prediction of odor properties of post-fermentation sludge from a biological-mechanical wastewater treatment plant. The input parameters were concentrations of popular compounds present in the sludge, such as toluene, p-xylene, and p-cresol, and process parameters including the concentration of volatile fatty acids, pH, and alkalinity in the fermentation sludge. The analyses revealed that the implementation of artificial neural networks allowed the prediction of the values of odor intensity and the hedonic tone of the post-fermentation sludge at the level of 30% mean absolute percentage error. Application of the decision tree made it possible to determine what input parameters the fermentation feed should have in order to arrive at the post-fermentation sludge with an odor intensity <2 and hedonic tone >−1. It was shown that the aforementioned phenomenon was influenced by the following factors: concentration of p-xylene, pH, concentration of volatile fatty acids, and concentration of p-cresol.

Keywords: sludge; wastewater treatment plant; HS-GC-MS/MS; odor prediction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:16:p:4407-:d:257721

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